tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27498570241600921682018-03-02T08:59:30.333-08:00Wolf Spirit newsletterMetis District 14 ConnecticutShiakoda Autumn Wolf Moon Q.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04821100742943607490noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749857024160092168.post-2890386801871435332012-10-02T10:55:00.002-07:002012-10-02T10:55:37.633-07:00I will be backMy computer was struck by a power surge and blew up so I am stuck right now.&nbsp; I am saving for a new one and once I get it I will be back!!&nbsp; Promise.&nbsp; :&gt;)&nbsp; Please keep checking back.&nbsp; <br />As always, stay healthy and safe.<br /><br />ShiShiakoda Autumn Wolf Moon Q.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04821100742943607490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749857024160092168.post-44071073988504946322012-04-16T09:42:00.000-07:002012-04-16T09:42:39.663-07:00<span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;">WOW….summer is getting here pretty fast!!! We went from cold winter right into hot summer. What about global warming?<br /><br />Anyway, I am happy to see the warm weather, I need to get out to the picnic table to do crafts and things instead of being cooped up in the house…Spring fever is here!!!!!<br /><br />Enjoy this months ‘late’ newsletter<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />BlogTalkRadio…tune in with us!!!<br /><br />Friday Night on the Rez, every Friday at 10.00 PM central time, and Sunday Rez Drive every Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. (2:00 here in the East) Central Time. Call in we would love to hear from you. Guests can call in at: (646) 727-1737 Lets hang out together. How are you and your family being treated, how are you getting by?? Let us speak about it with our international panel of down to earth people. <br /><br />Thanks to the Internet, the Lakota viewpoints on both reservation life and national and international issues can be shared and discussed. In this way our different cultures can be better understood by all the particpants. When help is needed, the Rosebud rez show also allows people to connect and to try to find solutions. Guests are always welcome, both to call in or participate on/ in the chat room.<br /></span></span><a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/search/rosebud-rez-/"><u><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;">http://www.blogtalkradio.com/search/rosebud-rez-/</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"></span></span></a><br /><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"></span></span></span><br /><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Blackfeet Nation mourning for soldier killed in Afghanistan<br /><br />Tuesday, April 10, 2012<br /><br />The Blackfeet Nation of Montana is the mourning the loss of a tribal member who was killed in Afghanistan. <br /><br />U.S. Army Spc. Antonio C. Burnside was killed on April 6 when his unit was attacked. He is the second tribal member to die in the line of duty.<br /><br /><br /><br />"All Blackfeet hearts are broken today as we learn we must bury one of our warriors whose life was tragically cut short on the far side of the world," Chairman T. J. Show said in a statement, The Great Falls Tribune reported. <br /><br />Burnside's parents went to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to retrieve his body, the paper said. Funeral services are pending.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Honor the sacred. <br /><br />Honor the Earth, our Mother. <br /><br />Honor the Elders. <br /><br />Honor all with whom we <br /><br />share the Earth:-<br /><br />Four-leggeds, two-leggeds, <br /><br />winged ones, Swimmers, crawlers, <br /><br />and rock people. <br /><br />Walk in balance and beauty.<br /><br />Native American Elder<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Suspects in Oklahoma killings reportedly confess to crime<br /><br />Tuesday, April 10, 2012<br /><br />The two suspects in the Oklahoma Good Friday killings have confessed, according to news reports. <br /><br />Jacob C. England, 19, who is said to be Cherokee, allegedly shot and killed one African-American man. Two others he allegedly shot were wounded. <br /><br />Alvin L. Watts, 32, who is said to be England's roommate, allegedly shot and killed two African-American men. A third was wounded. <br /><br />The two men admitted they drove to a predominantly African-American neighborhood in north Tulsa to look for victims. England was reportedly motivated by the April 5, 2010, murder of his father -- the person of interest, who was never charged, is an African-American man. <br /><br />England and Watts face charges of first-degree murder, shooting with intent to kill and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Vote on casino projects not binding on Wampanoag tribes<br /><br />Tuesday, April 10, 2012 <br /><br />Residents of at least three Massachusetts communities will go to the polls in May and June to show their support, or opposition, to hosting a tribal casino. <br /><br />But the results of the elections won't be binding on the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe or the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. Both tribes are hoping to open the first Indian gaming facility in the state. <br /><br />"We’re taking this one step at a time," a spokesperson for Gov. Deval Patrick (D) said in a statement, GateHouse News Service reported. "If the town were to vote against it, we’d have to reevaluate." <br /><br />H.3702, the state's gaming law, authorizes three casinos in the state. One is reserved for "a federally recognized tribe." <br /><br />The law also authorizes Patrick to negotiate a Class III gaming compact. He has agreed to talks with the Mashpee Tribe but hasn't said anything about the Aquinnah Tribe. <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Herbal Remedy Ingredient Tied to Cancer, Kidney Failure<br /><br /><br /><br />Study of Taiwanese patients found potential dangers in aristolochia <br /><br />THURSDAY, April 12 (HealthDay News) -- A toxic component of a plant used in certain types of herbal remedies can cause kidney failure and upper urinary tract cancer, researchers warn.<br /><br />Aristolochic acid is found in Aristolochia herbal remedies, which have been used for centuries and still are used in many countries.<br /><br />This study of 151 patients with upper urinary tract cancer in Taiwan concluded that aristolochic acid is a primary contributor to the incidence of this cancer in Taiwan, where the incidence is the highest reported anywhere in the world and where Aristolochia herbal remedies are widely used.<br /><br />The researchers found that 83 percent of the patients had evidence in their kidneys of DNA changes that are related to the plant toxin and associated with the development of cancer.<br /><br />"We believe our latest research highlights the importance of a long-overlooked disease that affects many individuals in Taiwan, and, by extension, in China and other countries worldwide, where Aristolochia herbal remedies traditionally have been used for medicinal purposes," Dr. Arthur Grollman, a professor of pharmacological sciences at Stony Brook University School of Medicine, in New York, said in a university news release.<br /><br />In previous research, Grollman and his colleagues linked the ingestion of Aristolochia clematitis (commonly known as birthwort) to widespread kidney disease in the Balkans.<br /><br />The findings of the studies show that public health officials need to take action to stop kidney damage and upper urinary tract cancer related to aristolochic acid, Grollman said.<br /><br />The study was published online April 9 in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Lakota activists launch hunger strike against Keystone<br /><br />Wednesday, April 4, 2012<br /><br />"In the Dakotas, members of the proud Lakota Nation rose in protest this week to join a 48-hour hunger strike in opposition to the Keystone XL pipeline—and all tar sands pipelines—they say will destroy precious water resources and ancestral lands in the U.S and in Canada. <br /><br />On Sunday, dozens of hunger strikers and supporters marched at a rally against tar sands oil mining operations and pipelines in Eagle Butte, SD, a impoverished community on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation, close to TransCanada’s 1,700 mile proposed Keystone XL pipeline route to refineries in the Gulf. <br /><br />Lakota tribal members and their children drove to a camp in the rugged hills near the Missouri River to fast in solidarity with a hunger strike at the Bella Bella Community School in British Columbia. Children at the school are protesting a plan to ship millions of barrels of oil through a potentially dangerous "Northern Gateway" pipeline that would pipe corrosive tar sands oil from Alberta to giant super tankers navigating Canada’s treacherous Pacific coast."<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Instructions for Living<br /><br />Friend do it this way - that is, <br />whatever you do in life, <br />do the very best you can <br />with both your heart and mind.<br />And if you do it that way, <br />the Power Of The Universe <br />will come to your assistance,&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />if your heart and mind are in Unity.<br />When one sits in the Hoop Of The People, <br />one must be responsible because <br />All of Creation is related. <br />And the hurt of one is the hurt of all. <br />And the honor of one is the honor of all. <br />And whatever we do effects everything in the universe. <br />If you do it that way - that is, <br />if you truly join your heart and mind <br />as One - whatever you ask for, <br />that's the Way It's Going To Be.<br />passed down from White Buffalo Calf Woman<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Standing Rock Sioux Reservation is least healthy place in US<br /><br />Tuesday, April 3, 2012<br /><br />Sioux County, which is home to the North Dakota portion of the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, is the least healthy place in the U.S., according to the County Health Rankings study. <br /><br />The county ranks poorly in health indicators such as premature death, adult obesity, physical inactivity, excessive drinking, motor vehicle crash death rates and sexually transmitted diseases. It's the second year in a row that the North Dakota portion of the reservation has landed at the bottom of the list. <br /><br />But Standing Rock isn't alone. Eight of the 10th least healthy places in the U.S. are in Indian Country, according to the rankings. <br /><br />"We almost have a blind spot to the fact that we have counties, that represent all or part of Indian nations, that are some of the least healthy places certainly in each state and nationwide," Patrick Remington, a professor of population health sciences at the University of Wisconsin in Madison who compiled the data used for the study, told Bloomberg News. "To me, that should be sort of a national disgrace."<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />A TRUE WARRIOR'S FIGHT! ( by my brother David)<br /><br />by David Anthony on Sunday, March 25, 2012 at 4:05pm • <br /><br />SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TIME , WARRIORS WERE THE ONES WHO SOLDIERED TRIBES TO ENSURE THE SAFETY AND SURVIVAL OF THE RACE!<br /><br />IN EACH OF US MEN &amp; WOMEN, EMBEDDED IN OUR HEARTS &amp; SOULS, IS THAT WARRIOR QUALITY , JUST AS IN ANY OF THE CREATOR'S LIVING CREATURES! THIS RESPONSIBILITY IN ANIMALS OF THE LESSER CLASSES, IT IS MORE INSTINCTIVE THAN IN US HUMANS!<br /><br />IN THE WORLD TODAY, THE DUTY OF ALL WARRIORS ARE NEEDED MORE THAN IN THE PAST AND IT'S MORE IMPORTANT TO KEEP BREEDING MORE WARRIORS FOR SOME NATIONS TO SURVIVE THE NEXT CENTURY !<br /><br />OUR WARRIOR'S FIGHT TODAY IS MUCH DIFFERENT THAN THEN, BUT THE OBJECTIVE REMAINS THE SAME.<br /><br />THE ENEMY HAS CHANGED, BUT THE OUTCOME OF IT'S EFFECTS ARE EVEN MORE DETRIMENTAL THAN IN THE PAST!<br /><br />OUR ENEMIES OF TODAY ARE MORE RUTHLESS &amp; VICIOUS WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO COLOR OR RACE &amp; IT BEGINS WITH THE SELFISHNESS &amp; GREED OF MEN FOR THE MATERIAL WEALTH!<br /><br />THE COLD &amp; HEARTLESS WAY OF HUMAN BEINGS TO HAVE MORE THAN ENOUGH TO EAT , YET SIT BACK AND WATCH THEIR NEIGHBORS STARVE TO DEATH WITHOUT FEELING A MOMENT OF REMORSE!<br /><br />THE UNFORGIVING NATURE OF MANY WHO LIVE WITHOUT SHOWING COMPASSION, LOVE OR A LITTLE CARE FOR OUR CHILDREN,OUR HOMELESS,THE HUNGRY, THE SICK &amp; THE ELDERS OF THE WORLD!<br /><br />THE EVIL IN SOME TO DISCOURAGE OTHERS FROM HELPING OTHERS!<br /><br />WHEN WE COMBINE THE EFFECTS OF THESE ENEMIES, WE HAVE THE MOST DEADLY OUTCOME OF A WAR THAT IS UNSTOPPABLE!<br /><br />HOWEVER, THIS CAN BE CONTAINED, BUT ONLY IF WE PUT "THE TRUE WARRIOR'S" QUALITY THAT WE POSSESS FORWARD &amp; BEGIN TO HELP THOSE WHO ARE LESS FORTUNATE THAN WE ARE!<br /><br />"A TRUE WARRIOR" WILL HELP FEED THE HUNGRY WITH A LITTLE OF WHAT WE HAVE FOR OURSELVES!<br /><br />"TRUE WARRIORS" WILL WORK TOGETHER AND SEEK HELP FOR THE SICK &amp; THE HOMELESS!<br /><br />"A TRUE WARRIOR" WILL SHOW LOVE &amp; CARE TO OUR CHILDREN &amp; SHOW OUR APPRECIATION TO OUR ELDERLY SO TOO GIVE THEM A REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS HOPE FOR A FUTURE!<br /><br />"A TRUE WARRIOR" WILL NEVER SIT BACK AND IGNORE THE PAINS &amp; SUFFERING OF ANOTHER!<br /><br />"A TRUE WARRIOR" WILL FIGHT FOR THE SURVIVAL OF A PEOPLE!<br /><br />NOW ASK YOURSELF : ARE YOU A "TRUE WARRIOR" IN THE WORLD TODAY, OR ARE YOU THE ENEMY?<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />"Silence is the absolute poise or balance of body, mind and spirit." <br /><br />-- Charles A. Eastman (Ohiyesa), SANTEE SIOUX <br /><br />Be still and know. All new learnings, all ideas about new things, creativity, daydreaming and mental effectiveness come to those who learn about silence. All warriors know about the power of silence. All Elders know about stillness. Be still and know God. Meditation is about the place of silence. This is the place to hear God's voice. We can find tremendous amounts of knowledge in the place of silence. This is the sacred place of God. <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Cherokee Nation criticizes bill to limit role of tribes in policies<br /><br />Tuesday, April 3, 2012<br /><br />The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma is coming out against SB 1050, a bill that limits the role of tribes in setting state environmental policies. <br /><br />The bill removes the word "tribal" from state laws that otherwise take tribes into account. A Cherokee Nation attorney said the measure would harm tribal-state relations. <br /><br />"By passing this law, Oklahoma risks damaging the cooperative relationship it has built with the tribes – a relationship that has produced a significant economic benefit for the state," Sara Hill, the tribe's senior assistant attorney general, told The Cherokee Phoenix. <br /><br />Sen. Greg Treat (R), the sponsor of the bill, says tribes can still offer their views on state matters. But tribal laws won't carry any weight if the measure passes. <br /><br />Under a rider that was tucked into a federal transportation bill, Oklahoma tribes are barred from obtaining treatment as state status from the Environmental Protection Agency unless they reach a "cooperative agreement" with the state. No other tribes are subject to such prohibitions.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ <br /><br />Affordable home units on Navajo Nation sit vacant for years<br /><br />Tuesday, April 3, 2012<br /><br />Dozens of affordable housing units on the Navajo Nation have sat vacant for at least six years, The Farmington Daily Times reports. <br /><br />Work on the 91-unit development in Shiprock, New Mexico, began in 2004. Construction stalled in 2006 due to litigation -- 53 were homes were partially built by that time. <br /><br />Of those units, fifteen have burned, with 13 beyond repair, the paper reported. Most of the other homes have been vandalized, the paper said. <br /><br />So far the tribe has spent an estimated $11 million on the project. The Navajo Nation Council is considering a proposal to spend another $17 million to finish the development in two phases.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Group protests governor's visit to Fort Peck Tribes bison site<br /><br />Tuesday, April 3, 2012<br /><br />A non-Indian group showed up to the Fort Peck Reservation on Monday to protest the transfer of bison from Yellowstone National Park. <br /><br />Members of Citizens for Balanced Use criticized Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer (D) for agreeing to allow the bison to be moved through the state to the reservation. But he said there was not reason to be alarmed amid fears that the bison carry brucellosis, a disease that causes death in cattle. <br /><br />"These animals have been tested again and again and again and each test has come out negative for these animals carrying brucellosis," Schweitzer told The Great Falls Tribune. <br /><br />The Fort Peck Tribes have accepted more than 60 bison from Yellowstone. Some of the animals are supposed to be transferred to the Fort Belknap Indian Community but a judge in the state has put the move on hold as part of a lawsuit filed by ranchers and property owners.<br /><br />`~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Sitka Tribe signs agreement to manage sacred sites<br /><br />Tuesday, April 3, 2012<br /><br />"The Sitka Tribe of Alaska has reached a deal to manage sacred sites near Sitka. Five of the sites are already owned by Sealaska Corporation. And the deal for tribal management is one of a series of agreements signed or in negotiation throughout Southeast Alaska. <br /><br />The deal covers six locations around Sitka, including village sites at Sealion Cove, Krugloi Point, Hoonah Sound and Point Craven. It also covers petroglyphs in Sinitsin Cove and Sitkoh Creek. <br /><br />Those five sites already belong to the Native corporation. The sixth location is at Redoubt Falls. Acreage there has been selected by Sealaska, but is still in the conveyance process. The agreement won’t apply to that site until the land is conveyed. It’s effective immediately for the other five."<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Go Forward With Courage<br /><br />When you are in doubt, be still, and wait; <br />when doubt no longer exists for you, <br />then go forward with courage.<br />So long as mists envelop you, be still; <br />be still until the sunlight pours through and dispels the mists <br /><br />-- as it surely will.<br /><br />Then act with courage.<br /><br />Ponca Chief White Eagle (1800's<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Investigation into chase, officer-involved shooting near Crow Agency continues<br /><br />Monday, April 2, 2012 2:38 pm<br /><br />The Federal Bureau of Investigation is continuing its investigation into a March 29 chase that ended with a woman being taken to a Billings hospital with what her family described as a gunshot wound to the face from a federal agent.<br /><br />A St. Vincent Healthcare spokeswoman said that Frankie Kindness, identified as the victim by her half-brother, David R. Blaine, remained at the hospital and was listed in fair condition on Monday afternoon.<br /><br />FBI spokesman Todd Palmer confirmed that the investigation was ongoing but said further details would not be released until agents finished their investigation.<br /><br />Blaine said last week that a Bureau of Indian Affairs Officer shot Kindness early Thursday outside of a home in Dunmore, a small town northwest of Crow Agency.<br /><br />A BIA official said over the weekend that officers were involved in a vehicle chase with Kindness and referred questions to the FBI.<br /><br />Palmer did not know if the agent alleged to be involved had been placed on leave after the incident and said that it was a BIA matter.<br /><br />Phone calls to the BIA had not been returned as of 3 p.m.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Tough call on Mashantucket slot machine tax case<br /><br />Tuesday, April 3, 2012 <br /><br />"Like a poker player who has wagered a stack of chips on a hand only to have an opponent draw a pair of aces, the town of Ledyard has a tough call on its long, costly legal battle over taxing leased slot machines at Foxwoods Resort Casino. <br /><br />After a federal judge ruled last week that the town could not collect taxes on such equipment, the town must weigh whether to cut its losses - legal bills have skyrocketed to more than $900,000 over the past six years - or to spend more money appealing the ruling to a higher court. <br /><br />"I think we have a strong case for an appeal," Ledyard Mayor John Rodolico said Monday, noting that much more is at stake than simply tax revenues from slot machines. He said numerous other retail stores and restaurants do business at Foxwoods, and if they also were allowed to avoid paying municipal property taxes it would be a devastating loss to the town." <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Passamaquoddy Tribe reaches $11.4M trust fund settlement <br /><br />Monday, April 2, 2012<br /><br />The Passamaquoddy Tribe of Maine has reached an $11.4 million trust fund settlement with the Obama administration. <br /><br />The tribe sued the federal government over the management of a $13.5 million trust fund that was authorized by an act of Congress. The money came from the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act in 1980. <br /><br />Tribal members are asking the council to distribute the settlement on a per capita basis, The Bangor Daily News reported. The tribe consists of the Indian Township and Pleasant Point. <br /><br />The Obama administration has entered negotiations with an estimated 75 tribes to settle their trust management lawsuits.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Cleanup of uranium mines on Navajo Nation poses huge cost<br /><br />Monday, April 2, 2012<br /><br />The federal government knows of at least 683 uranium sites on the Navajo Nation but there isn't enough money to clean them up. <br /><br />Out of the hundreds, federal agencies have identified just 34 structures and 12 residential yards for cleanup, The New York Times reports. Some $60 million has been spent so far.<br /><br />"The government can’t afford it; that’s a big reason why it hasn’t stepped in and done more," Bob Darr, a spokesman for the Department of Energy, told the paper. "The contamination problem is vast." <br /><br />Uranium itself led to significant health risks for tribal members who worked at the mines. But new generations are being exposed to extremely radioactive sites due to the lack of cleanup. <br /><br />Rancher Larry Gordy found one abandoned mine in Arizona where high radioactive levels could cause tumors and other health problems. But the site remains unprotected. <br /><br />"If this level of radioactivity were found in a middle-class suburb, the response would be immediate and aggressive," Doug Brugge, a public health professor at Tufts University medical school, told the Times. "The site is remote, but there are obviously people spending time on it. Don’t they deserve some concern?"<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Famous South Dakotans: Maria Pearson, repatriation expert<br /><br />Monday, April 2, 2012<br /><br />"A woman born in Springfield became the primary catalyst for the creation of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. <br /><br />WHO: Maria Pearson <br /><br />BORN: July 12, 1932. She died May 23, 2003, in Ames, Iowa. <br /><br />BACKGROUND: Darlene Elvira Drapeaux was given the Indian name Hai-Mecha Eunka (Running Moccasins). She married John Pearson, a civil engineer with the Iowa Department of Transportation. They had six children. In the early 1970s, John told her a bulldozer crew preparing the site for a bridge had unearthed several burial sites. The remains of the white settlers were reburied; the bones of a Native American woman and baby were sent to the University of Iowa archaeology lab for research. Pearson went outside to pray and heard her grandmother’s voice telling her to be strong and fight for her people. The next day, Pearson put on a fringed buckskin dress and went to Des Moines to visit then-Iowa Gov. Robert Ray."<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Indian children Foster care used too often <br /><br />For a hundred years, white people in America thought that the way to deal with Native Americans — those few who survived displacement — was to assimilate them, persuade them to abandon their cultural heritage and adopt European ways.<br /><br />And even though that belief was officially rejected decades ago, too much of it apparently remains among child welfare agencies in Utah, where American Indian children are four times more likely to be in foster care than children of other backgrounds.<br /><br />Few American Indian children are taken from their natural families because they are being abused. Two-thirds are removed, instead, due to case workers deciding they are being neglected. But how much of that determination is based on cultural differences? <br /><br />Since a finding of neglect is subject to how the case worker perceives a normal, loving family, it’s more than possible that those children are loved, but their parents express emotion in a way the case worker doesn’t recognize. <br /><br />It would be shameful if children were taken from their homes simply because their family life is different from what is considered by the dominant culture as usual or good.<br /><br />Utah has a history of failed experiments in forced assimilation. Until 1996 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints operated a program for 50 years in which American Indian children left their homes and were placed in Mormon homes or in a boarding school.<br /><br />Their experience was often one of humiliation, rejection and lost identity. Research has found that American Indian children have a suicide rate 1.5 to 3 times higher than children of other ethnic groups. And American Indian children raised in non-Indian homes commit suicide six times more often than other American Indian children.<br /><br />Prospects are bleak for those who reach the age of 18 while in foster care. Their often unhappy childhoods lead to mental disorders or post-traumatic stress syndrome, and many end up homeless, in prison or dead within two years.<br /><br />There has got to be a better way.<br /><br />One is outlined in the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978. It states that American Indian extended families, other tribe members or other Indian families should be given priority when foster-care placements are made. Tribal courts, not state courts, should have authority over American Indian child welfare issues because they do more to keep relationships and cultural ties intact.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian, he can live in peace...<br /><br />Treat all men alike. Give them all the <br />same law. Give them all an even chance <br />to live and grow.All men were made by <br />the same Great Spirit Chief.<br /><br />They are all brothers. <br />The Earth is the mother of all people, <br />and all people should have equal rights upon it....<br /><br />Let me be a free man,free to travel, <br />free to stop,<br />free to work,<br />free to trade where I choose <br />free to find my own teachers, <br />free to follow the religion of my fathers, <br />free to think and talk and act for myself, <br />and I will obey every law, <br />or submit to the penalty.<br /><br />Heinmot Tooyalaket ( Chief Joseph), Nez Perce Leader<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Leslie Lohse named Woman of the Year by state lawmaker <br /><br />Wednesday, March 28, 2012<br /><br />Leslie Lohse, the treasurer of the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians, has been named 2012 Woman of the Year for California's 2nd District by Assemblyman Jim Nielsen (R). <br /><br />Lohse has served as treasurer for her tribe since 1994. She also serves as chair of the California Tribal Business Alliance and is active on other boards and commissions. <br /><br />"Leslie is a passionate and dedicated citizen who ably serves her revered and historic Nomlaki tribe, her community and her state through her selfless leadership," Nielsen said in a press release. "Her energy and abilities have ensured a bright future for generations now and yet to be born in the north state." Lohse was presented with the award at a ceremony on Mond<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Wisdom from my sister Michelle. Thank you sis.<br /><br />It costs nothing to take a little time to offer a kleenex and a kind smile, a pat on the shoulder, a kind murmur, a silent ear to hear with while the other talks, or a nod of sympathy. These things are often the little matches that light - or relight - the lamp we all need to find our way in this world. And none of these things makes anyone the poorer for the doing. I am humbled by this thought.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Oklahoma tribal chief concerned about Keystone XL impact<br /><br />Mar 26, 2012 <br /><br />Oklahoma City (AP) _ The chief of the Sac and Fox Nation plans to voice his concerns about the Keystone XL pipeline this week in Washington. <br /><br />Chief George Thurman fears that workers would place the pipeline through the tribe's sacred ground in north-central Oklahoma. A spokesman for pipeline operator Transcanada says the company works closely with tribes whenever its operations have a potential impact on their lands.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />FUNNIES:<br /><br />The day after visiting a fair, my wife was in agony. "You know you’re past your prime," she said, "when you hurt all over and all you rode was the massage chair." <br /><br />*~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />"Everything’s starting to click for me!" said my father-in-law at dinner. "My knees, my elbows, my neck ..." We’d finally built our dream home, but the contractor had a concern: the placement of an atrium window for our walk-in shower. "I’m afraid your neighbors might have a good view of you au naturel," he said. My middle-aged wife put him at ease. "Don’t worry," she said. "They’ll only look once." <br /><br />*~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />My memory's not as sharp as it used to be. Also, my memory's not as sharp as it used to be. <br /><br />*~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Two elderly ladies had been friends since their 30s. Now in their 80s, they still got together a couple of times a week to play cards. One day they were playing gin rummy and one of them said, "You know, we’ve been friends for many years and, please don't get mad, but for the life of me, I can't remember your name. Please tell me what it is." Her friend glared at her. She continued to glare and stare at her for at least three minutes. Finally, she said, "How soon do you need to know?" <br /><br />*~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />My mother-in-law had a pain beneath her right breast. It turned out to be a trick knee. <br /><br />*~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />You know you're old if they have discontinued your blood type. <br /><br />*~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Recently I went to the doctor for my annual physical. The nurse asked me how much I weighed. I told her 135 pounds. Then she weighed me and the scale said 160. She asked me how tall I was. I said, "5 feet, 5 inches." She measured me and I was only 5 feet, 3 inches. So she took my blood pressure and told me it was high. "Of course it's high," I said. "When I came in here I was tall and slender. Now I'm short and fat!<br /><br />*~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />A cat died and went to Heaven. God met her at the gates and said, 'You have been a good cat all these years. Anything you want is yours for the asking.'<br /><br />The cat thought for a minute and then said, 'All my life I lived on a farm and slept on hard wooden floors. I would like a real fluffy pillow to sleep on.'<br /><br />God said, 'Say no more.' Instantly the cat had a huge fluffy pillow.<br /><br />A few days later, six mice were killed in an accident and they all went to Heaven together. God met the mice at the gates with the same offer that He made to the cat<br /><br />The mice said, 'Well, we have had to run all of our lives: from cats, dogs, and even people with brooms! If we could just have some little roller skates, we would not have to run again.'<br /><br />God answered, 'It is done.' All the mice had beautiful little roller skates.<br /><br />About a week later, God decided to check on the cat. He found her sound asleep on her fluffy pillow. God gently awakened the cat and asked, 'Is everything okay? How have you been doing? Are you happy?'<br /><br />The cat replied, 'Oh, it is WONDERFUL. I have never been so happy in my life. The pillow is so fluffy, and those little Meals on Wheels you have been sending over are delicious!'<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Native American Prayer <br /><br />Oh, Great Spirit <br />Whose voice I hear in the winds, <br />And whose breath gives life to all the world, <br />hear me, I am small and weak, <br />I need your strength and wisdom. <br />Let me walk in beauty and make my eyes ever behold <br />the red and purple sunset. <br />Make my hands respect the things you have <br />made and my ears sharp to hear your voice. <br />Make me wise so that I may understand the things <br />you have taught my people. <br />Let me learn the lessons you have <br />hidden in every leaf and rock. <br />I seek strength, not to be greater than my brother, <br />but to fight my greatest enemy - myself. <br />Make me always ready to come to you <br />with clean hands and straight eyes. <br />So when life fades, as the fading sunset, <br />my Spirit may come to you without shame.<br /><br />translated by Lakota Sioux Chief Yellow Lark in 1887)<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Spirit Bear as a Native American Animal Symbol<br /><br />In the light of day, the spirit bear is a special species of black bear known only to a select few that live in the British Columbia area as well as a handful of islands near Alaska. It is an all-white bear known as Kermode Bear. However, for the Native American culture, the Kermode bear is known as the Spirit Bear. <br /><br />According to one of many Native American stories, the spirit bear was made white by the creator of the universe to remind its people the past period of time known as the ice age. It was said that the creator did this to remind the native people of the previous hardship living in all the snow and ice. In addition, in some tribes, the white spirit bear stands for harmony and peace. <br /><br />It is thought that a spirit bear exists in about ten percent of all black bear births. In actuality, the existence of the spirit bear can be blamed on a recessive characteristic in their genes. The spirit bear really is not all white. In truth, it is more off-white or creamy in color. The spirit bear, also known as the Kermode bear, exists in British Columbia.<br /><br />The number of sightings dwindled for years due to a lower spirit bear population. However, thanks to some protection from the Canadian government, the Kermode bear is slowly climbing in numbers. It is mostly found in the British Columbia area of Canada, specifically the islands of Prince Rupert or Princess Royal.<br /><br />In recognition of the Native American’s culture in the role of the spirit bear as a significant Native American Animal Symbol, the government of British Columbia named the spirit bear as the province’s representative animal. Even with this bestowed title, the spirit bear will forever remain a prominent symbol in local British Columbia Indian mythology. <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />KITCHEN MEDICINE:<br /><br />Rosemary Family: Labiatae Genus: Rosmarinus Species: Officinalis <br /><br />Also Known As: Rosemarine, Incensier <br /><br />Rx: cooking, excellent tea, infusion, tincture <br /><br />In ancient times people wrapped their meat with Rosemary to prevent spoilage. Rosemary is a natural preservative. Rosemary can prevent food poisoning, is a digestive aid, is a good decongestant and can kill bacteria. If you enjoy using Rosemary in your cooking, use more. <br /><br />*****Warnings: do not ingest Rosemary oil, in large amounts, poisoning can occur <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br /><br /><br />Saffron Family: Iridaceae Genus: Crocus Species: Sativus <br /><br />Also Known As: Spanish Saffron <br /><br />Rx: 12 to 15 stigmas per cup of boiling water <br /><br />Since it takes 75,000 flowers to make one pound of Saffron, this herb is very expensive. Heart attack patients may actually save money using this as it is much cheaper than some clot dissolving drugs injected to treat heart attack. It can help to control some risk factors for heart disease. It also reduces cholesterol, de-clogs the arteries, and lowers blood pressure. <br /><br />*****Warnings: unless you are pregnant, just the high cost <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Sage Family: Labiatae Genus: Salvia Species:Officinalis <br /><br />Also Known As: All types of Sage <br /><br />Rx: crushed fresh leaves for cuts and wounds, infusion of dried leaves, tincture <br /><br />Sage is the premiere anti-perspirant, cutting perspiration by up to 50 percent. It is a great fighter against infection, a good preservative, a digestive aid, can reduce blood sugar and helps a sore throat! And its flavor in meats and sausage is unrivaled. <br /><br />*****Warnings: rare cases of inflammation of the lips and lining of the mouth. Sage oil should not be ingested. <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Savory Family: Labiatae Genus: Satureja Species: Hortensis, Montana <br /><br />Also Known As: White Thyme, Bean Herb <br /><br />A great culinary herb, Savory has great soothing properties for children, it is a great expectorant and digestive aid and is subtle enough for use with children. <br /><br />Rx: infusion of leaves for childhood colds <br /><br />*****Warnings: None <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Skullcap Family: Labiatae Genus: Scutellaria Species: Lateriflora <br /><br />Also Known As: Quaker Bonnet, Mad Dog Weed, Hoodwort, Helmet Flower <br /><br />Rx: use leaf infusion for tranquilizing effects <br /><br />European medical experts now accept skullcap's potential usefulness as a tranquilizer and sedative, and it is used in many commercial sleep preparations that are widely available in Europe. <br /><br />*****Warnings: large doses may result in confusion, giddiness, twitching, and possible convulsions <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Tarragon Family: Compositae Genus: Artemisia Species: Dracunculus <br /><br />Also Known As: Dragon Herb, Estragon, French or Russian Tarragon <br /><br />Rx: chew fresh leaves for toothache, apply fresh leaves to cuts and wounds, infusion of leaves, tincture <br /><br />A wonderful treatment for toothache, Tarragon is a great anesthetic and prevents infections. <br /><br />*****Warnings: those with history of Cancer should not use this herb <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Tea Family: Theaceae Genus: Camellia Species: Sinensis <br /><br />Also Known As: Green Tea, Black Tea <br /><br />Rx: typical leaf infusion <br /><br />From the Orient, to the United Kingdom, Tea is widely used for its calming effects. Tea includes stimulants that help colds, congestion, asthma, diarrhea, tooth decay and helps prevent tissue damage from radiation therapy. Tea only grows in India, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia and is imported around the world. Green Tea is simply the dried leaf, Black Tea is dried and then fermented. <br /><br />*****Warnings: Caffeine addiction, problems associated with Caffeine <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Thyme Family: Labiatae Genus: Thymus Species: Vulgaris, Serpyllum <br /><br />Also Known As: Mother of Thyme, Common or Garden Thyme, Wild, Creeping or Mother Thyme <br /><br />As well as a culinary delight, Thyme fights several disease causing bacteria and viruses. It is a good digestive aid, helps menstrual cramps and is a great cough remedy. Germany uses it today to treat whoop, whooping cough and emphysema. <br /><br />Rx: fresh leaves for cuts and wounds, tincture for antiseptic, infusion of leaves for the stomach, cough or menstrual symptoms. <br /><br />*****Warnings: Do not ingest Thyme oil, it can lead to headache, nausea, vomiting, weakness, thyroid impairment, and heart and respiratory depression. <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Valerian Family: Valerianaceae Genus: Valeriana Species: Officinalis <br /><br />Also Known As: Phu, Heal-all, Garden Valerian <br /><br />Rx: infusion of root for sedative properties, tincture <br /><br />The quite smelly and pungent Valerian is a powerful sedative that was even listed as a tranquilizer in the National Formulary until 1950. A great replacement for users of valium, Valerian can also reduce high blood pressure. <br /><br />*****Warnings: large doses may cause headache, giddiness, blurred vision, restlessness, nausea, and morning grogginess. <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Vervain Family: Verbenaceae Genus: Verbena Species: Officinalis, Hastata <br /><br />Also Known As: Indian Hyssop, Blue Vervain, Verbena, Enchanter's Herb <br /><br />Rx: infusion of leaves for headache and arthritis, tincture <br /><br />'Take two Vervain and call me in the morning' is how it should be said. Vervain is a great substitute for aspirin as it has similar effects. Vervain outside of being a very mild laxative is mainly used for mild pain relief. <br /><br />*****Warnings: anyone with a history of heart problems should not use this herb <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Witch Hazel Family: Hamamelidaceae Genus: Hamamelis Species: Virginiana <br /><br />Also Known As: Hamamelis, Snapping Hazelnut, Winterbloom <br /><br />Rx: astringent decoction of leaves and twigs, astringent gargle <br /><br />A primary astringent in the herbal world, Witch Hazel has antiseptic, anesthetic, astringent, and anti-inflammatory properties. The clear, pungent extract is a standard for cuts, bruises, hemorrhoids, and sore muscles. It is one of this nation's most widely used healing herbs. It is much better to find fresh Witch Hazel than rely on commercial products containing it. <br /><br />*****Warnings: may be used externally on anyone but dilute for children. <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Yarrow Family: Compositae Genus: Achillea Species: Millefolium <br /><br />Also Known As: Bloodwort, Nose Bleed, Thousand Weed, Milfoil, Soldier's Woundwort <br /><br />An excellent wound treatment, Yarrow has many healing properties, is a good digestive aid, helps menstrual cramps, and is a mild sedative. <br /><br />Rx: use fresh leaves and flowers for cuts and scrapes, infusion for calming and menstrual easing effects, tincture <br /><br />*****Warnings: large doses may turn urine brown. This is not harmful.<br /><br /><br /><br />**********WARNING**********<br /><br />Make sure to ask you doctor or health care person before you use any herbs. They can sometimes react badly with medications you are on.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road? <br /><br />SOVEREIGN INDIAN: This is the Chickens inherent right as he is indigenous to this land!!!<br /><br />MILITANT INDIAN: That chicken should block the road, not cross the road!!!<br /><br />GRASSROOT INDIAN: If the darn chickens need to get across the road, let 'em cross the darn road!<br /><br />COLONIZED INDIAN: Chiggens should never cross the roads that white men built before the great white father crosses it first. If the white father crosses it, it is good. We must then follow.<br /><br />AMERICANIZED INDIAN: We must have roads. We must cross the roads that the white man built for us. We have to be thankful to the white man for this. I don't know why you Indians are always complaining. You embarrass us. Chickens are good for us.<br /><br />REPUBLICAN INDIAN: It's true that that white man built those roads for us. We are merely chickens. We will always be chickens until we learn to build those roads ourselves - for profit.<br /><br />DEMOCRATIC INDIAN: The chicken crossed the road because he didn't have enough funding.<br /><br />TRADITIONAL INDIAN: Those chiggens weren't traditional because they were supposed to be on it - not crossing it!<br /><br />INDIAN GRANDPA: I think he was runnin' away from rezidential school.<br /><br />URBAN INDIAN: That chicken crossed the road 'cause it was a city, man. You know what I mean?<br /><br />NEW AGE INDIAN: It was basically because of Jungian dream therapy, drumming, sweatlodges, my shaman, and long walks on the beach, near my beach house.<br /><br />POW WOW INDIAN That chicken must have been heading to a 49!<br /><br />EDUCATED INDIAN: I think it has to do with Einstein's theory which basically posits: "Did the chicken really cross the road or did the road move beneath the chicken?"<br /><br />REZ INDIAN: Whats a chicken?<br /><br />IHS INDIAN: I really don't care why he crossed that road. We still aren't paying for no stinkin hospital bills.<br /><br />BIA INDIAN: They crossed it because of CFR 49, Section 11299, gives them the authority to do so, under Department of Interior regulations, in the Executive Branch. They wrote a grant and we funded them. We are very proud of them.<br /><br />KFC INDIAN: I'll take a leg, a thigh, with corn and potatoes. Extra Crispy, please.<br /><br />And finally....................<br /><br />TRIBAL INDIAN COUNCIL: The chicken crossed the road without our approval! Fire his family!!!<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />You know it's time to lose weight when:<br /><br />* You can't see your moccasin strings anymore<br /><br />* You "duck" during the duck and dive and you can't get back up<br /><br />* You find yourself bringing zip lock bags and a sack to the powwow feast<br /><br />* You get in line twice at the powwow feast and lie by saying, "this plate is for my grandma who's sitting in the car," and you don't realize she just went through the line 10 people ahead of you.<br /><br />* You can't fit your choker, because you no longer have a neck<br /><br />* Your family has to stop half way to the powwow to replace the springs on your car<br /><br />* The car naturally tilts downward on the side you always ride on<br /><br />* The youngest kid with the shortest legs has to sit behind your seat, because you have to have the seat pulled all the way back to fit your beefy legs into the car<br /><br />* You eat Indian Tacos like potato chips<br /><br />* You don't even feel your mosquito bites<br /><br />* You have to "rock" a few times to get up out of your chair<br /><br />* People mistake you for a teepee when you wear a white tshirt<br /><br />* You have to "lift" your stomach to show off your new beaded belt buckle<br /><br />* You order a coke and the waitress asks, "Diet?" <br /><br />* You almost pass out in the sweathouse using only one rock<br /><br />* You get scared your belly button might come untied<br /><br />* In a powwow crowd of 1,000 people, everyone stops you to ask your advice about the best food stands AND where's the best fry bread stand<br /><br />* Other dancers use you for shade in grand entry line<br /><br />* You lose a $1,000 dance contest because your excess didn't stop in time with the drum<br /><br />* Your buckskin dress looks like you're still sitting down even if you're up walking around<br /><br />* You have to have your parade horse backed up next the car so you can climb up on the hood of the car and get on<br /><br />* Your parade horse is a "Clydesdale"<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`~<br /><br />RECIPES:<br /><br />Banaha Choctaw Corn Shuck Bread<br /><br />Yield: 1 <br /><br />6 c Corn meal <br />2 ts Baking soda<br />Boiling water Corn shucks<br /><br /><br />Pour enough boiling water over the meal and soda mixture to make a soft dough which can be handled with the hands. Prepare 4 to 6 handfuls of corn shucks by pouring boiling water over them to cover, then strip a few shucks to make strings. Tie 2 strips together at ends. Lay an oval shaped ball of dough on shucks. Fold carefully and tie in the middle with strings. Place in large stew pot and boil 30 to 45 minutes.<br /><br />*~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Wild Apple Cornbread<br /><br />Yield: 1 loaf<br /><br />2 c Yellow cornmeal 1 T Cold water<br />2 Eggs, beaten 2 c Buttermilk<br />1/4 c Granulated sugar <br />1 c Wild apples, peeled &amp; grated <br />1 ts Baking soda </span></span></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">2 T Margarine, melted</span></span></span><br /><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">1/2 ts Salt Honey</span></span></span><br /><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"> <br /><br />Mix together in top of double boiler the cornmeal, sugar, salt, milk and margarine. Set over hot water and cook for 10 minutes. Cool. Add eggs, soda (dissolved in water), and apples. Pour into greased baking dish and bake in preheated oven at 400 degrees for 30 minutes. Serve with wild honey<br /><br />*~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />CHICKEN CORN CHOWDER<br /><br />4 strips bacon <br />2 c. cubed potatoes <br />2 c. diced cooked chicken <br />1 (8 oz.) can cream style corn <br />1/4 tsp. pepper <br />1 c. chopped onions <br />2 c. chicken broth <br />1 (8 oz.) can corn <br />1 c. light cream</span></span></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">Chopped parsley to taste</span></span></span><br /><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"> <br />Fry bacon until crisp. Drain, cool and crumble. Saute onions in bacon drippings until tender (8 to 10 minutes). In Dutch oven, combine onions, potatoes, chicken broth, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender, 15 minutes. Add chicken, whole corn, cream corn, light cream and pepper. Heat thoroughly. Garnish each serving with parsley and crumbled bacon bits. Serves 4.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Why Should We Keep Tribal Languages Alive?<br /><br />By SONNY SKYHAWKApril 6, 2012 <br /><br />I can't stress enough the importance of retaining our tribal languages, when it comes to the core relevance or existence of our people. Our languages can teach us many things through daily use. Language can teach us respect, for ourselves and each other, our elders, women and most importantly, the things that allowed us to exist. Our children deserve nothing less than to have inherited their own language. You could argue that when a tribe loses its language, it loses a piece of its inner-most being, a part of its soul or spirit. That is how important and meaningful our languages are to us as the original inhabitants of this hemisphere.<br /><br />Historically, our ancestors relied on our language to communicate with each other and sister tribes, and when we met other tribes, we utilized sign as an alternative language to communicate. <br /><br />Symbols or icons were also a source of documenting our history on stone surfaces or skins, known as Winter Counts, but languages were our main source of communicating with each other. You could lay blame for the loss of some of our languages on the Boarding Schools, where we were severely punished for speaking them, but that seems a weak excuse.<br /><br />The truth is, it is our own fault and no one else’s. Today, most tribal nations continue to struggle to retain their native tongues due to attrition, assimilation and lack of use, and sadly, some have lost them forever. Our tribal colleges and schools are our only line of defense or hope, when it comes to saving our languages at this point, because we have for the most part, refrained from speaking our languages fluently at home or amongst each other. Immersion classes have sprung up in some of our communities—but is it too late ?<br /><br />We have no choice; we have to assume it is not too late, but it is an ongoing struggle to keep our languages alive. My personal hope is that our present efforts will set the template for tomorrow, and that we can save our languages for those present today and those yet to be born. We need to retain and pass our tribal languages on to the next generations if we are to remain relevant as a people. We can make the comparison of losing our language to an explorer having lost his compass—and we cannot afford to lose our cultural compass, that which so clearly defines us. Speak your language if you know it, or learn it if you can, but do not let it go due to neglect. That is not who we are, or what we do, as a people. Now is the crucial time to protect and embrace your mother(‘s) tongue.<br /><br />When it comes to native languages, the situation is simple: Use it or lose it.<br /><br />Aho.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />\Mon, 9 Apr 2012 14:42:36 -0400 <br /><br />Subject: Call to Action: Shower the White House with Your Calls<br /><br />From: contact@whoisleonardpeltier.info<br /><br />An excellent way for Peltier supporters to communicate with the White House is by telephone, i.e., the White House comment line at 202-456-1111.<br /><br />On Friday, April 13 and April 20, please take time to call the White House to ask that President Obama free Leonard Peltier. If the lines are busy, try the White House switchboard at 202-456-1414. Ask for the comment line. You may be placed on hold until the next available staffer can take your call.<br /><br />Remember that some 2,500 to 3,500 phone calls are received daily via the White House comment line. Peltier supporters often receive a busy signal simply because we're competing for phone time. Hit that redial button and try again. If you don't reach an operator in the morning, try again in the afternoon.<br /><br />Each of us must place a call. Urge your colleagues, friends, and family members to call the White House, too. On April 13 and April 20, make your voices heard.<br /><br />Supporters from around the world may participate in this effort by sending an e-mail to the White House: </span></span></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.whitehouse.gov/contact/submit-questions-and-comments"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">www.whitehouse.gov/contact/submit-questions-and-comments</span></span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"></span></span></span></a><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">.</span></span></span><br /><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><br /><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">Thank you for all you do on Mr. Peltier's behalf.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></span></span><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;">Hope we found you all well and doing good.&nbsp; </span></span><br /><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;">Remember…if you have anything you would like to see in the newsletter you can e-mail me at: shiakoda@att.net put ‘newsletter’ in the subject line.</span></span><br /><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"> </span></span><br /><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;">Thank you, have a wonderful early spring. Stay healthy, strong and safe.<br /><br />Shiakoda Autumn Wolf Moon Q.</span></span>Shiakoda Autumn Wolf Moon Q.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04821100742943607490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749857024160092168.post-2512437758026753492012-03-08T08:38:00.002-08:002012-03-08T09:09:28.207-08:00<span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;">WOLF SPIRIT newsletter March 2012<br /><br />March already!!!!! Almost Spring!!! I can't wait. My favorite season...birds, flowers, sun, fresh air, outside!!! YEA!! Okay, now that I got that all out here's the newsletter...enjoy!<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Before we get to the news there is something I want to mention. <br />You will hear about it often from me but please, just bear with me.<br /><br />RoseBud Reservation....What does this mean to you? A beautiful culture? Fry bread and corn soup? Powwows....dancing....drumming....singing? <br /><br />Well it is a lot more than that.<br /><br />It is a people freezing, starving, it's sickness, no fresh water, bad sanitation if any. This is RoseBud Reservation in South Dakota, USA<br /><br />Out of this dire condition a non profit group was started...Little Freddy and Massi Calling Corp. This group has managed, through donations, to supply 15 families in the last eight weeks,with fuel for heat. They supply food, clothes and other things they need to survive. We are asking everyone to dig really deep in their pockets and give!! Give whatever you can even if its just a dollar. A little bit added to another little bit adds up to a lot of help.<br /><br />Think about what they don't have and then think about what you can give up for a day or two...coffee out...donuts out...a new hat...bring your lunch to work instead of going to a restaurant. I am sure if you look into your heart you can find something to give to help these people, our original people, and their families. Most of us don't think twice about donating to one of these causes to help in foreign countries. What about here at home? The conditions some of the people that live on reservations are WORSE than the countries you are donating to. Right here in the United States. <br /><br />David Anthony is one of the people who have dedicated their life to helping these people survive. This is what he has to say: <br /><br />"We are all created equally, but grew into who we are today. <br />In most cases, this action is by choice and is influenced by the <br />wants of what is material. However, we are always in control of <br />our actions and can alter our lives to make the world a much <br />better place for us and for others.</span></span><br /><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><br />Some of us will, but more of us will not.<br />For those who do, Bless your humble souls, but for those who<br />choose not to, ask yourselves how much is enough and think <br />about this: Every year many elderly and children go hungry, even <br />freeze to death! The constant struggle to raise money for propane <br />and warm clothing and food, medical supplies, shelter and education <br />becomes our primary objective.<br /><br />Please work with us at 'Freddy&amp; Little Massi Calling Corp.' to help<br />us get these basic life saving items to them, by donation whatever <br />little you can so that we can keep providing these services as soon <br />as possible." <br />* * * * <br />Thank you David for all you do, we also thank Wanbli and Freddy, Creator will bless you for your work. You are real friends of the people that are not in a position to help themselves. Bless also the many members that choose to spend their time and energy to help with the cause.</span></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">To donate through Pay Pal: freddyandlittlemassi@callingcorp@yahoo.com</span></span></span><br /><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"> <br />To donate by check: <br />Make payable to: <br />Freddy and Little Massi Calling Corp.<br />mail to: Freddy and Little Massi Calling Corp<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 92 82 Springfield Blvd.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Queens Village, NY 11428</span></span></span><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN"></span></span></span><br /><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN">They are also taking donations of hand made items and brand new items to sell on their site as a fund raiser to buy the things they need. You can also check out and see if there is something you might be interested in buying as a gift or for yourself. If you are handy and love making items please make some for Little Freddy and Massi.</span></span></span><br /><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"> <br />I am going to pray that this touches your heart and you do what you can as often as you can. Their need is not just a one time need, it is a year-round need. School supplies, medical supplies, lightly use clothing, etc. are also needed<br /><br />Thank you so very much from the bottom of our hearts. Please, lets not leave them behind.<br /><br />You can also join in this way and have some fun while you are at it!!<br />RoseBud Rez Radio Station<br />Sunday Rez Drive every Sunday afternoon 1pm Central time. Call in, we would love to hear from you. Guests can call in at: (646) 727-1737 Lets hang out together. Lots of interesting information on this program. Please feel free to listen and call in! Lets speak about it with our international panel of down to earth people. Lots of interesting information on this program. Please feel free to listen and call in! Its about entertainment, issues, meeting new friends and Little Freddy!!<br /><br />Guest call in number: 646 727 1737 and join in or listen in if you do not have access to a computer.<br /><br /><br /><u><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN"><a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/rez-king-internationa">http://www.blogtalkradio.com/rez-king-internationa</a></span></span></span></u></span></span><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN">* * * *</span></span></span><br /><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"> Attached to this newsletter you will find a flyer about Little Freddy and Massi. If you get this e-mail I will send out flyers by e-mail to you. Check it out. If you have any questions you can contact them at:<br /><br />zilginlivelife@yahoo.com or freddyandlittlemassicallingcorp@yahoo.com<br /><br />You can reach me at: </span></span><a href="mailto:shiakoda@att.net"><u><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN">shiakoda@att.net</span></span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"></span></span></a><br /><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN"> </span></span></span><br /><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;">There is a new group site you can join and keep up with what’s happening.<br /><a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/freddyandlittlemassicallingcorp/"><u><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN"></span></span></span></u></a><u><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/freddyandlittlemassicallingcorp">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/freddyandlittlemassicallingcorp</a></span><a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/freddyandlittlemassicallingcorp"></a></span><a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/freddyandlittlemassicallingcorp"></a></u><a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/freddyandlittlemassicallingcorp"></a></span></span><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN">Thank you once again and please, check with us often, we will be waiting.</span></span></span><br /><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"> <br />Shiakoda<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart.<br /><br />Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours.<br /><br />Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life.<br /><br />Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people.<br /><br />Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.<br /><br />Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place.<br /><br />Show respect to all people and grovel to none.<br /><br />When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living.<br /><br />If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself.<br /><br />Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision.<br /><br />When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way.<br /><br />Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.<br /><br />Chief Tecumseh (Crouching Tiger) Shawnee Nation1768-1813<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span lang=""></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span lang="">Disenrollments are nothing short of tribal terrorism</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"> <br />Rick Cuevas / Guest Commentary<br /><br />The Sierra Star has done an excellent job in bringing the shameful acts of dissenrollments of members of the Chukchansi Indians to the public. Congratulations to reporter Carmen George for her McClatchy President's Award for her story on Chukchansi tribal member dissenrollments.<br /><br />Tribal membership is about heritage. It's the corrupt tribal council of Chukchansi, along with those from the Pechanga tribe of Temecula, and Redding that are tossing aside the history of their tribes with a dismissive attitude that should be alarming to the people of California. Pechanga ran ads for expanding gaming, claiming 10,000 years of history; yet quickly shed two families with more historical ties to the land, proven by the tribe's own expert, than one of their sitting council members who has no Pechanga blood.<br /><br />Tribal governments are using sovereignty as a weapon to beat the weak and helpless, and terrorize them into submission. Our federal and state governments are happy to stay out of the issue by saying that membership is a tribal matter. Fair enough, but what about the government's trust responsibility to Indians to see that tribal constitutions are followed? <br /><br />Good governance requires fair legal frameworks that are enforced impartially. It also requires full protection of human rights. Impartial enforcement of laws requires an independent judiciary and an impartial and incorruptible police force. That simply is not what is happening on tribal reservations.<br /><br />On reservations across our state tribes are using fear tactics and yes, terrorism, to keep members in line for fear of losing their land, homes, per capita shares and health benefits. More critical is that they also lose their rights to choose a representative government and to vote on issues that pertain to them. Imagine if the Republicans were able to eliminate 25% of the Democratic vote? <br /><br />Currently at Pechanga, the tribal council is threatening allottees with fines, banishment and restricted access to their property. One family is taking it upon themselves to try to force another family who was given an allotment with the creation of the reservation, off their land. They're using their family members on the council to issue the threatening letter that is published on Original Pechanga's Blog.<br /><br />This is not what we voted for when we approved gaming to tribes in our state. This was not what was meant by self-reliance. I urge the readers to stand up for civil and human rights. Bill Cosby stood up and refused to perform at Chukchansi because of these issues. By telling tribes you won't go to their casinos, you can nudge them into acting justly.<br /><br />Don't let tribes get away with terrorizing their own people into silence. I would advise people to consider not supporting casinos owned by tribes that abuse their people. <br /><br />-- Rick Cuevas is a terminated member of the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians and writes for Original Pechanga -- originalpechanga.com The site shines light on civil and human rights abuses to American Indians by casino tribes. Original Pechanga's Blog is visited regularly the Bureau of Indian Affairs, House of Representatives, Senate and tribal officials.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Students from Makah Tribe are finalists in science competition<br /><br />Friday, March 2, 2012<br /><br />Students from the Makah Nation in Washington are among 12 finalists for the Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow contest. <br /><br />The team from Neah Bay High School and Markishtum Middle School made a documentary about the use of mushrooms to clean up Tatoosh Island, a sacred site. The students' video makes use of the Makah language. <br /><br />The team already received $70,000 in technology and software for their schools. If they are among five grand prize winners, they will get an additional $100,000. <br /><br />Public voting for the contest closes at 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, March 12. <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Salazar urges quick work for Cobell trust reform commission<br /><br />Thursday, March 1, 2012<br /><br />The National Commission on Indian Trust Administration and Reform met for the first time today and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar urged its members to work quickly. <br /><br />The commission was created by the $3.4 billion settlement to the Indian trust fund lawsuit. Its members will evaluate trust reform efforts at the Interior Department and deliver a report within two years. <br /><br />However, Salazar said two years is too long to wait. He noted that appeals have already delayed distribution of the settlement, which was approved by Congress in December 2010. <br /><br />"I'm a little concerned about the time frame," Salazar said this morning in Washington, D.C. <br /><br />"I frankly don't know what's going to happen in November," he said, referring to the presidential election later this year. <br /><br />"If we can get it done sooner, then let's get it done sooner," Salazar told members of the commission. <br /><br />The commission is meeting today and tomorrow. Future meetings are in the works between March and December of this year. <br /><br />"We know that there's been decades of work in trust reform," observed Fawn Sharp, the president of the Quinault Nation of Washington who serves as chair of the commission. <br /><br />Sharp said one of her goals for the first meeting is to develop a communications plan to keep Indian <br /><br />Country informed.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Grandfather Cries<br />Charles Phillip Whitedog<br /><br /><br />Grandfather, do you know me?<br />I am your blood.<br />The son of your son.<br />I come to ask you a question Grandfather.<br /><br />Grandfather, don't you know me?<br />Can I stop being Indian now?<br />There are others that want to be Indian,<br />And if they can start from nothing,<br />I should be able to stop from something?<br /><br />Grandfather, don't you know me?<br />Grandfather, I don't look like you.<br />I don't know what you know.<br />It would be easy for me to hide behind my paler skin.<br />No one would know the pain I feel,<br />Or see the tears I cry for your Great Grandchildren.<br /><br />Grandfather, don't you know me?<br />Grandfather, look what I have done to our world.<br />Mother Earth is on her knees.<br />The Snake and Owl rule the day.<br />I don't understand the language you speak Grandfather.<br /><br />Grandfather, don't you know me?<br />Grandfather, I want my Pepsi, Levi's and Porsche too.<br />I want to go where the others go,<br />And see the things they see too.<br />I don't have time to dance in the old way Grandfather.<br /><br />Grandfather?<br />Grandfather, why are you crying?<br />Grandfather, why are you crying?<br />Grandfather, please stop crying.<br />Grandfather, don't you know me?<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Richard Gomez: Chumash Tribe needs more land for housing<br /><br />Thursday, March 1, 2012<br /><br />"We’ve been reaching out to residents, civic leaders and employers to discuss the need for more housing for families of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. As I and other tribal officers go out and talk about our plans, one question we hear is: <br /><br />"Why doesn’t the tribe just buy land like anyone else and build homes on it without making it part of the reservation?" <br /><br />It’s a good question. It’s also one we’re happy to answer because it allows us to share our history and the essence of being a tribal member. <br /><br />It’s crucial to us for our tribal families to live on land that’s under the jurisdiction of our tribal government. The generations before us endured so much so we can stay together as a people."<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />BIA agrees to mediate Chukchansi Tribe's leadership dispute<br /><br />Thursday, March 1, 2012<br /><br />The Bureau of Indian Affairs has agreed to mediate a leadership dispute within the Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians in California. <br /><br />Two factions, one led by Morris Reid and the other by Reggie Lewis, clashed violently at tribal headquarters on Tuesday. Both groups vacated the building on Wednesday after Madera County Sheriff John Anderson negotiated a 48-hour cooling off period. <br /><br />County deputies are now patrolling the headquarters to keep the peace. It's not clear what will happen next but the BIA has "reached out to the parties and we are supporting the tribe's efforts to reach a peaceful resolution," a spokesperson told the Associated Press. <br /><br />Lewis, who served as chairman, was apparently voted out of office last year. Reid says he will put an end to future disenrollments if he gains control of the tribe.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Big Thunder (Bedagi) - Wabanaki Alonqui<br /><br />The Great Spirit is in all things, he is in the air we breathe. <br />The Great Spirit is our Father, but the Earth is our Mother. <br />She nourishes us, that which we put into the ground she returns to us....<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Colville Tribes and state reach settlement for hunting rights<br /><br />Thursday, March 1, 2012<br /><br />The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and the state of Washington reached a settlement over hunting and jurisdiction. <br /><br />The tribe retains hunting and fishing rights on ceded land known as the North Half. Under the agreement, tribal members who are cited for violations of six hunting laws will appear in tribal court instead of state court. <br /><br />"We’re pleased that the state recognizes Colville Tribal member rights in the North Half, and that as a sovereign nation, we have the authority to enforce our laws here," Chairman Michael Finley said in a press release, The Wenatchee World reported. <br /><br />The state also agreed to notify the tribe when it investigates hunting cases<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />"[The Old People] would gather words as they walked a sacred path across the Earth, leaving nothing behind but prayers and offerings." ---- Cleone Thunder, Northern Arapahoe<br /><br />Whenever we walk on the Earth, we should pay attention to what is going on. Too often our minds are somewhere else, thinking about the past or thinking about the future. When we do this, we are missing important lessons. The Earth is a constant flow of lessons and learnings which also include a constant flow of positive feelings. If we are aware as we walk, we will gather words for our lives, the lessons to help our children; we will gather feelings of interconnectedness and calmness. When we experience this, we should say or think thoughts of gratitude. When we do this, the next person to walk on the sacred path will benefit even more.<br /><br />`~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Judge won't block construction of road above burial grounds<br /><br />Thursday, March 1, 2012<br /><br />A judge in California won't put a stop to a road construction project that tribes say will destroy their burial grounds. <br /><br />Vista Superior Court Judge Harry Elias said San Diego County hasn't broken any laws by building the two-mile road. However, he urged the county to work with the San Luis Rey Band of Luiseño Indians and other tribes who oppose the development. <br /><br />"Now is the time and opportunity to truly sit down and talk to each other," Elias told the parties, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported. <br /><br />Ancestral remains and artifacts were found at the site last month.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Viejas Band donates $2500 to treat dog with gunshot wounds<br /><br />Thursday, March 1, 2012<br /><br />The Viejas Band Kumeyaay Indians donated $2,500 to help care for a dog that was found with gunshot wounds. <br /><br />The dog was found on the reservation on February 20. It had been shot in the chest. <br /><br />"This shooting goes against everything Viejas stands for and we will do everything we can to make sure Chance eventually gets to a home where he can know the safety, comfort and love that he deserves," Chairman Anthony R. Pico said in a statement, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported. <br /><br />Authorities are offering a $3,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the shooting case.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Mining bill opposed by tribes in Wisconsin appears to be dead<br /><br />Friday, March 2, 2012<br /><br />A mining bill that was opposed by the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and other tribes in Wisconsin appears to be dead for now. <br /><br />Republicans pushed the bill, which would make it easier for Gogebic Taconite to build a $1.5 billion open pit iron ore mine next to the Bad River Reservation. But one lawmaker remained a holdout and said he couldn't support a measure that eliminates the ability for people to contest the project under state environmental laws. <br /><br />"My conscience simply won’t allow me to surrender the existing environmental protections without a full and open public debate," Sen. Dale Schultz (R) said at a press conference, the Associated Press reported. <br /><br />The legislative session ends in two weeks, leaving few chances for a compromise to be reached. At his press conference, Schultz noted that he met with tribal leaders and residents near the proposed mine who voiced concerns about it.<br /><br />`~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />BIA moves forward with Spokane Tribe off-reservation casino<br /><br />Friday, March 2, 2012 <br /><br />The Bureau of Indian Affairs is moving forward with its consideration of the Spokane Tribe off-reservation casino project. <br /><br />The BIA released a draft environmental impact statement for the West Plains Mixed-Use Development. The project calls for a facility with about 98,000 square-feet of gaming space and a 300-room hotel. <br /><br />There's also plans for a parking structure, retail space, a commercial building, a cultural center and a police/fire station, according to a notice published in the Federal Register today. <br /><br />The tribe is seeking a two-part determination for the casino. In addition to BIA approval, the governor of Washington will have to agree to the project. <br /><br />Comments on the draft EIS are being accepted until April 16. A public hearing will be held March 23</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">.</span></span><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></span></span><br /><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"> <br />Mashantucket Tribe makes last of casino per capita payments<br /><br />Friday, March 2, 2012 <br /><br />The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation of Connecticut has made final per capita payments to its members, The New London Day reports. <br /><br />At one point, each tribal member received upwards of $7,500 to $10,000 a month. But when the tribe's gaming revenues took a hit, the tribe decided to end the program. <br /><br />The tribe had been making "transitional" payments of decreasing value, the paper said. Those payments end today. <br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />Fond du Lac man to confront 'white pride' rally in Minnesota<br /><br />Thursday, March 1, 2012<br /><br />Ricky Defoe, a member of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, says he and other people will confront a "white pride" rally this Saturday in Duluth, Minnesota. <br /><br />Defoe, who serves as co-chair of the Duluth American Indian Commission, said he wants the voice of minority people to be heard. He will be joined by other minority leaders at the Duluth Civic Center Plaza, an hour before the Supreme White Alliance is expected to arrive there. <br /><br />The Indian commission hasn't taken a stance on the rally. Defoe said he is not acting on behalf of the commission.<br /><br />`~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Agreement with The Five Nations<br />April 23, 1792<br /><br />Secretary for the Department of War<br /><br />George Washington, President of the United States of America, "To all who shall see these presents, greeting:<br /><br />"Whereas an article has been stipulated with the Five Nations of Indians, by, and with the advice and consent of the Senate of the United States, which article is in the words following, to wit:<br /><br />"'The President of the United States, by Henry Knox, Secretary for the Department of War, stipulates, in behalf of the United States, the following article, with the Five Nations of Indians, so called, being the Senecas, Oneidas, and the Stockbridge Indians, incorporated with them the Tuscaroras, Cayugas, and Onondagas, to wit: the United States, in order to promote the happiness of the Five Nations of Indians, will cause to be expended, annually, the amount of one thousand five hundred dollars, in purchasing for them clothing, domestic animals, and implements of husbandry, and for encouraging useful artificers to reside in their villages.<br /><br />"'In behalf of the United States: [L. S.] H. Knox,<br /><br /><br />Secretary for the Department of War.<br />Done in the presence of Tobias Lear, Nathan Jones.<br /><br />"Now, know ye, That I, having seen and considered the said article, do accept, ratify, and confirm the same.<br /><br />"In testimony whereof, I have caused the seal of the United States to be hereunto affixed, and signed the same with my hand.<br /><br />&nbsp;"Given at the City of Philadelphia, the twenty-third day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-two, and in the sixteenth year of the sovereignty and independence of the United States.<br /><br /><br />GEO. WASHINGTON.<br /><br /><br />"By the President:<br /><br />THOMAS JEFFERSON."<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />PLEASE PRAY FOR:<br /><br />Chief Strong Horse...health <br />Elder Tony Cricket...health <br />Elder Wendell Deer With Horns…Health <br />Elder Tom Flanders…Health and Recovery <br />Elaine… Grandfather owls wife...health and healing <br />Bob C....health and healing <br />Bobbie C...health and strength <br />Theresa...health and healing <br />Sarah Spirit...health, healing, wisdom and strength <br />Leonard Peltier...spiritual strength and health <br />Lora Lee…Health , strength and healing <br /><br />Pray for all that are incarcerated that they find peace and a new way. <br />Pray for wisdom for our Spiritual Leaders so they can help others find their way <br /><br />Pray for our troops fighting for our freedom <br />Pray for UTAN... to keep us strong and always together <br />Pray for all Clan Mothers and Chiefs...to show the right way and to lead with strength and wisdom <br /><br />All our ancestors and relations <br /><br />Special prayers for our Elders for sharing their wisdom. <br /><br />Special prayers for David and Wanbli…the founders of Little Freddy and Massi Calling Corp. and all its members. We thank them for their time and dedication in helping the people. <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Ojibwa Prayer<br /><br /><br />Oh Great Spirit, whose voice I hear in the winds<br />And whose breath gives life to everyone,<br /><br />Hear me.<br />I come to you as one of your many children;<br />I am weak... I am small...I need your wisdom<br />and your strength.<br /><br />Let me walk in beauty, and make my eyes ever<br />behold the red and purple sunsets.<br />Make my hands respect the things you have made,<br />and make my ears sharp so I may hear your voice.<br /><br />Make me wise, so that I may understand what you<br />have taught my people and<br />The lessons you have hidden in each leaf and each rock.<br />I ask for wisdom and strength,<br />Not to be superior to my brothers, but to be able<br />to fight my greatest enemy, myself.<br /><br />Make me ever ready to come before you with<br />clean hands and a straight eye,<br />So as life fades away as a fading sunset,<br />My spirit may come to you without shame. <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />RECIPES:<br /><br />Fried Squash Bread<br /><br />Yield: 1 batch<br /><br />1 c Corn meal Water<br />2 Summer squash, diced&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span><br /><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;">1/4 c Buttermilk<br />1 Egg <br /><br />Cook squash in water until soft; leave 3/4 c. water in pot. Combine other<br />ingredients with squash and water; mix together. Fry in hot oil until<br />golden brown. <br /><br />*~~~~~~~~~~ *~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Hopi Corn Stew<br /><br />1 c ground goat meat (or beef) <br />2 c green corn, cut from cobs<br />1 sm sweet green pepper, chopped <br />1 c summer squash, cubed<br />1 tb whole wheat flour<br />Salt (to taste) <br /><br />Fry meat in a little fat (shortening or cooking oil) until brown. Add<br />rest of ingredients (except flour) and cover with water. Simmer until vegetables are almost tender. Stir 2 tb cooking water with 1 tb whole wheat flour, return to cook pot, simmer five more minutes while stirring. Add blue corn meal dumplings if desired <br /><br />*~~~~~~~~~~ *~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Indian Bread<br /><br />Yield: 1 batch<br /><br />3 c Flour <br />1 ts Baking soda<br />1/4 ts Nutmeg <br />1 c Molasses<br />1 3/4 c Cornmeal <br />2 ts Salt<br />3 1/3 c Milk <br /><br />Sift together the dry ingredients. Combine the milk and molasses. Add<br />the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients and beat until smooth. Pour<br />into a well-greased 2-quart steam mold, cover and place on a rack in a<br />deep kettle that has a close-fitting lid. Pour enough boiling water into<br />the kettle to come about halfway up the mold. Cover the kettle and steam the mold for 3 hours. Remove the mold from the kettle and let stand 20 minutes. Remove the cover and let stand 10 minutes longer. Loosen the edges with spatula; invert onto plate. Let stand until bread unmolds.<br /><br />Serve with lots of butter. <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />FUNNIES:<br /><br />You are in trouble<br /><br />An evil Atheist explorer in the deepest Amazon suddenly finds himself surrounded by a bloodthirsty group of natives. Upon surveying the situation, he says quietly to himself "Oh God, I'm screwed!!!!!." <br /><br />There is a ray of light from heaven and a voice booms out: "No, you are NOT screwed. Pick up that stone at your feet and bash in the head of the chief standing in front of you." <br /><br />So the explorer picks up the stone and proceeds to bash the living heck out of the chief.<br /><br />As he stands above the lifeless body, breathing heavily and surrounded by 100 natives with a look of shock on their faces, Gods voice booms out again: "Okay ..... NOW you're screwed."<br /><br />*~~~~~~~~~~ *~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />A guy traveling through the prairies of the USA stopped at a <br />small town and went to a bar. He stood at the end of the bar, <br />ordered a drink, and lit up a cigar.<br /><br />As he sipped his drink, he stood there quietly blowing smoke <br />rings. After he blew nine or ten smoke rings into the air, an <br />angry American Indian stomped up to him and said, "One more <br />remark like that and I'll smash your face in!" <br /><br />*~~~~~~~~~~ *~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />A film crew was on location deep in the desert. One day an <br />Old Indian went up to the director and said, "Tomorrow rain."<br /><br />The next day it rained.<br /><br />A week later, the Indian went up to the director and said,<br />"Tomorrow storm."<br /><br />The next day there was a hailstorm.<br /><br />This Indian is incredible," said the director. He told his<br />secretary to hire the Indian to predict the weather. However, <br />after several successful predictions, the old Indian didn't <br />show up for two weeks.<br /><br />Finally the director sent for him. "I have to shoot a big <br />scene tomorrow," said the director, "and I'm depending on you. <br /><br />What will the weather be like?"<br />The Indian shrugged his shoulders. "Don't know," he said. <br />"Radio is broken."<br /><br />*~~~~~~~~~~ *~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />They always ask at the doctor's reception why you are there, and you have to answer in front of others what's wrong and sometimes it is embarrassing. <br /><br />There's nothing worse than a Doctor's Receptionist who insists you tell her what is wrong with you, in a room full of other patients. I know most of us have experienced this, and I love the way this old guy handled it.<br /><br />A 75-year-old man walked into a crowded waiting room and approached the desk. <br /><br />The Receptionist said, 'Yes sir, what are you seeing the Doctor for today?' <br /><br />'There's something wrong with my dong', he replied. <br /><br />The receptionist became irritated and said, 'You shouldn't come into a crowded waiting room and say things like that. ' <br /><br />'Why not, you asked me what was wrong and I told you,' he said. <br /><br />The Receptionist replied; 'Now you've caused some embarrassment in this room full of people. You should have said there is something wrong with your ear or something, and discussed the problem further with the Doctor in private.' <br /><br />The man replied, 'You shouldn't ask people questions in a roomful of strangers if the answer could embarrass anyone. The man walked out, waited several minutes, and then re-entered. <br /><br />The Receptionist smiled smugly and asked, 'Yes??' There's something wrong with my ear,' he stated.<br /><br />The Receptionist nodded approvingly and smiled, knowing he had taken her advice. 'And what is wrong with your ear,Sir?' <br /><br />'I can't piss out of it,' he replied. <br /><br />The waiting room erupted in laughter. <br /><br />Mess with seniors and you're going to loose.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />*****ALWAYS check with your doctor before trying anything new, even herbs.<br /><br />Glossary Of Medical Properties Of Herbs:<br /><br />Adaptogens: Herbs that help us adapt to stress by supporting the adrenal glands, the endocrine system, and the whole person. <br />***Examples are ginseng root, nettle leaf, sarsaparilla, licorice root, and ashwagandha.<br /><br />Alterative: (Sanskrit: Parivartakas or Rakta Shodhana Karma ) These herbs alter or change a long-standing condition by aiding the elimination of metabolic toxins. Gradually facilitates a beneficial change in the body. Also known as "blood cleansers' in the past, these herbs improve lymphatic circulation, boost immunity, and help clear chronic conditions of the skin. These herbs also heal sores, boils, tumors, cancers; reduces fevers; detoxifies the liver, kills parasites and worms; helps in the treatment of infectious, contagious diseases and epidemics, flu, acne herpes, and venereal disease. <br />***Examples are: ginseng, aloe, sandalwood, red clover, burdock, bayberry, black pepper, cinnamon, myrrh, and safflower.<br /><br />Analgesic or anodynes: These herbs reduce or eliminate pain (e.g., digestive, circulatory, respiratory, nervous system, nerve, muscle, tooth pain, nervous digestion, headaches). Some herbs are strong pain relievers, often working best against pains of specific causes. <br />***Examples: Camphor, chamomile, cinnamon, cloves, echinacea, lavender flower, feverfew herb, cabbage leaves, wintergreen leaf , passionflower herb and flower. <br /><br />Anthelmintic (Sanskrit: Krumighana karma or krimighna) Herbs that destroys and dispels worms, parasites, fungus, yeast. <br />***Examples are: Pau d'arco, goldenseal, wormseed, wormwood, ajwan, cayenne, peppers, and pumpkin seeds.<br /><br />Anodyne: Herbs that relieve pain and reduces the sensitivity of the nerves.<br />***Examples: Ashok, barberry, cedar, and ginger.<br /><br />Antacid: Neutralizes the acid produced by the stomach. Helps the stomach lining recuperate to accommodate the healthy gastric acid needed for good digestion. ***Examples are: marshmallow root and leaf, meadowsweet herb, hops flower, and sweet flag.<br /><br />Antibiotic: Inhibits the growth of germs, bacteria, and harmful microbes. <br />***Examples: Turmeric and echinacea.<br /><br />Antidiarrhea: An alterative. <br />***Examples are: Blackberry, comfrey, gentian, red raspberry, and yellow dock, black pepper, and ginger.<br /><br />Antiemetic: Prevents or alleviates nausea and vomiting. <br />***Examples are: Cloves, coriander, ginger, and raspberry.<br /><br />Antipyretic: (Sanskrit- Jwarahara) reduces fever by reducing production of heat at its centers; destroying fever toxins; sweating to increase the loss of heat; drawing out the heat (e.g., cold baths). <br />***Examples: Amalaki, black pepper, brihati, nirgundi, safflower, sandalwood.<br /><br />Antiseptic: prevents decay or putrefaction. A substance that inhibits the growth and development of microorganisms without necessarily destroying them.<br />***Examples are: Aloe, Chitrak, gokshura, gudmar, sandalwood, and turmeric.<br /><br />Antispasmodic: Relieves or prevents involuntary muscle spasm or cramps by strengthening nerves and the nervous system. <br />***Examples: Camomile, ashwagandha, basil, calamus, guggul, licorice, myrrh, sage, gotu kola, jatamanshi, peppermint, sandalwood, and spearmint.<br /><br />Aperient.- (Sanskrit- Bhedaniya) A mild or gentle laxative. Also called aperitive. ***Example: Rhubarb.<br /><br />Appetizer: For stimulating the appetite. <br />***Examples: Cardamom, coriander.<br /><br />Aromatic: Herb with a pleasant, fragrant scent and a pungent taste. <br />***Examples: Cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, fennel, peppermint, and turmeric.<br /><br />Astringent: Causes a local contraction of the skin, blood vessels, and other tissues, thereby arresting the discharge of blood, mucus, etc. Usually used locally as a topical application. <br />***Examples: Amalaki, arjuna, ashok, cinnamon, jasmine, sandalwood, and yarrow.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Well, I guess that’s it til next month. <br /><br />Don’t forget to check out Little Freddy’s yahoo group, theres good info there and this is where you will find items for sale to help with the fund raiser. </span></span><a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/freddyandlittlemassicallingcorp/"><u><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/freddyandlittlemassicallingcorp/</span></span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"></span></span></a><br /><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN"> </span></span></span><br /><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;">Don’t forget to turn clocks ‘ahead’, Spring is here!!!!!! Yea!!!! I can’t wait to be sitting outside instead of in here. :&gt;)<br /><br />Blessings and good wishes for all you need in life. Good health for you and yours<br /><br />Shiakoda Autumn Wolf Moon Q.</span></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LeDvhUFrwfw/T1jgpjA0hhI/AAAAAAAAABw/UeuGW8gXVyM/s1600/fm1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LeDvhUFrwfw/T1jgpjA0hhI/AAAAAAAAABw/UeuGW8gXVyM/s320/fm1.png" width="232" /></a></div>Shiakoda Autumn Wolf Moon Q.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04821100742943607490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749857024160092168.post-13438660035116529342012-02-14T16:58:00.000-08:002012-02-14T16:58:38.935-08:00<span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;">WOLF SPIRIT Feb. 2012<br /><br />I don't know what happened to the first month of this new year, <br />its gone and the second one is on its way out too!!! Going to fast!! <br />I am having trouble keeping up! :&gt;)<br /><br />I hope your new year was good. Mine was quiet and nice. Time to reflect and think about love ones. Now its back to work!</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> <br />BIA won't get involved in Chukchansi disenrollment dispute<br />Friday, February 10, 2012<br /></span>The <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.bia.gov/"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">Bureau of Indian Affairs</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> isn't getting involving in a disenrollment dispute within the </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.chukchansi.net/"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> in California </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">The tribe removed 54 people from the rolls last October. Among those who were disenrolled were Ruby Cordero, an 87-year-old woman who is one of the last fluent Chukchansi speakers and is an expert on basket weaving. <br /><br />The tribe has since removed another 70 people, The Sierra Star reported. The descendants of Chief Hawa, one of the last Chukchansi chiefs, were among those who were disenrolled. <br /><br />"In my family, from the day I was born, my dad told me I was Chukchansi," Chris Ballew, 70, told the paper. "We were always proud to be Indian, even when it wasn't a fad to be Chukchansi." <br /><br />The BIA says it's up to the tribe to determine its membership. <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Honor the sacred. <br />Honor the Earth, our Mother. <br />Honor the Elders. <br />Honor all with whom we share the Earth:-<br /><br />Four-leggeds, <br />two-leggeds, <br />winged ones, <br /><br />Swimmers, crawlers, <br />plant and rock people. <br />Walk in balance and beauty.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Oglala Sioux Tribe files lawsuit targeting liquor in Whiteclay<br />Thursday, February 9, 2012<br /><br />The </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.oglalalakotanation.org"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">Oglala Sioux Tribe</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> filed a lawsuit in federal court today, aimed at stopping the sale of alcohol in </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pine_Ridge,_Nebraska"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">Whiteclay, Nebraska</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Whiteclay lies just outside the border of the Pine Ridge Reservation, where alcohol is banned. The lawsuit alleges that liquor stores and liquor distributors are violating state law by knowingly sell their products to reservation residents. <br /><br />"The Oglala Sioux Tribe seeks compensation for all of the damages the Lakota people have suffered as a result of illegal alcohol sales," attorney Tom White said in a press release "The defendants have failed to make reasonable efforts to ensure their products are distributed and sold in obedience to the laws of the State of Nebraska and the Oglala Sioux Tribe." <br /><br />According to Mark Vasina, the president of </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://nebraskansforpeace.org/"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">Nebraskans for Peace</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">, a group that has been raising awareness of the issue, four liquor stores in Whiteclay sold 4.9 milion cans of beer in 2010. Only a handful of people live in the town so most of the liquor ends up on the reservation. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">"Much of the beer is bootlegged onto the Pine Ridge for resale," Vasina said. <br /><br />Whiteclay has been blamed for crime, social and other problems on the reservation. In 1999, the bodies of two tribal members were found outside of Whiteclay. The case has never been solved. <br /><br />"We can now begin to address the terrible harm to the Lakota people caused by Whiteclay alcohol sales," said vice president Tom Poor Bear, whose brothers were the victims in the 1999 case. <br /><br />The defendants include four liquor stores in Whiteclay and major liquor distributors like Anheuser-Busch, Miller Brewing Company, Molson Coors Brewing Company, Miller Coors and Pabst Brewing Company. <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Native Sun News: Man working to restore Wounded Knee site<br />Friday, February 3, 2012<br /><br />WOUNDED KNEE, SOUTH DAKOTA – On a cold, windy morning, the mass grave site of the victims of the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre is lonely and desolate. <br /><br />The grave itself is surrounded by a cemetery, and backed by a log cabin church. Trash blows in from the surrounding area, empty beer boxes blowing up against and getting hung up on the chain link fence. There is little honor and reverence to be found in what should be the most revered site of the Lakota people. <br /><br />With a strong mind and a generous heart, one Oglala man has taken on the responsibility of caring for the resting place of those victims of such a tragic and devastating event in the history of the Lakota people. Julian Brown Eyes, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, and owner of Competitive Masonry out of Rapid City, has taken the initiative in redoing the brick area surround the mass grave. <br /><br />Donating all the materials needed as well as asking his employees, all Natives, to volunteer for such a poignant task, the renovation is being done at no cost to the descendants or the tribes who have people buried there. <br /><br /><br /><br />Brown Eye’s has invited his own daughter, up and coming singer and guitarist as well as model and photographer, Juliana Brown Eyes, of Scatter Their Own, to document the project in its entirety. Julian Brown Eyes has stated that he is not doing this for any recognition, and does not want a big fuss made of it, but is doing this for the honor of the people who had fled the US Government to avoid imprisonment, and instead met their deaths, elders, women and children alike, unarmed, ill and brutally murdered. <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /></span><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: x-large;">Out-of-touch school punishes girl for saying 'I love you'</span></span></b><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">CHICAGO -- Only in America can saying "I love you" merit a senseless punishment.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> <br />Just days after I wrote a column about the need for this country to not only ensure that all its public school students are fluent in English but also be able to communicate in other languages comes this story out of Shawano, Wis.: A 12-year-old was punished by a teacher for speaking a few non-English words in class.<br /><br />Miranda Washinawatok said she was reprimanded by her Sacred Heart Catholic School homeroom teacher for "attitude issues" so egregious that the seventh-grader was benched from playing in her school's basketball game that evening.<br /><br />Washinawatok, a bilingual student who speaks her family's native Menominee language, said the words "posoh" and "Ketapanen" which mean, respectively, "Hello" and "I love you" to two of her classmates.<br /><br />According to news reports, Miranda's mother, Tanaes Washinawatok, said the teacher responded by slamming her hands down on the desk and stating, "You are not to be speaking like that. How do I know you're not saying something bad?"<br /><br />That's really what it always comes down to when we're discussing the overly emotional topic of language, doesn't it? When monolingual people hear others speaking a different language, they tend to feel uncomfortable, like maybe they are being spoken of unkindly.<br /><br />I get that -- no one wants to feel awkward, but monolingual Americans need to get over the fear that people who speak languages other than English are somehow saying something bad.<br /><br />It's beyond ridiculous that in a school that is 60 percent Native American, and situated about six miles from the Menominee Indian Tribe Reservation, a student got punished not for disturbing class or ignoring an instructor, but for teaching a fellow pupil how to say a few words in a different language.<br /><br />This -- in addition to the vitriolic emails I was flooded with after suggesting that foreign languages and bilinguality have important roles to play in enriching American culture -- illustrates how sadly unprepared some people are to accept our rapidly diversifying country and the realities of globalization.<br /><br />Yet, it's almost understandable when people who don't have positive relationships with those who speak other languages feel this way. It is a disgrace, however, that professional staff at a largely Native American-populated school have so little regard for their own students' culture.<br /><br />Sure, the school sent home a letter of apology for allowing a "perception" of cultural discrimination to exist, but it insisted that the disciplinary incident "was not the result of any discriminatory action or attitude and did not happen as a negative reaction to the cultural heritage of any of our students."<br /><br />A "cultural awareness program" may be instituted for staff and students, which is fine. But the lesson is clear: Our young people have no issues with happily coexisting in our melting pot of multi-languages and multi-cultures. It's the so-called adults who need to come to grips with reality.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span lang="">Earth, Teach Me</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"> <br />Earth teach me quiet ~ as the grasses are still with new light.<br />Earth teach me suffering ~ as old stones suffer with memory. <br />Earth teach me humility ~ as blossoms are humble with beginning. <br />Earth teach me caring ~ as mothers nurture their young. <br />Earth teach me courage ~ as the tree that stands alone. <br />Earth teach me limitation ~ as the ant that crawls on the ground. <br />Earth teach me freedom ~ as the eagle that soars in the sky. <br />Earth teach me acceptance ~ as the leaves that die each fall. <br />Earth teach me renewal ~ as the seed that rises in the spring. <br />Earth teach me to forget myself ~ as melted snow forgets its life. <br />Earth teach me to remember kindness ~ as dry fields weep with rain.<br /><br />- An Ute Prayer<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Senate approves bill to move Quileute Tribe to safer grounds Tuesday, February 14, 2012<br /><br />The Senate on Monday passed S.636, a bill that allows the Quileute Tribe of Washington to move out of a tsunami zone. <br /><br />The bill transfers 785 acres within Olympic National Park to the tribe. The land will allow the tribe to escape the threat of tsunamis and flooding. <br /><br />"I am overwhelmed with emotions and so grateful that our tribe will actually be able to move our elders and children out of the path of a tsunami and up to higher ground. Our tribal school, senior center, administrative offices and elders situated in the lower village, will all benefit from the passage of this legislation," Chairman Tony Foster said in a press release. <br /><br />The House approved an identical version of the bill, H.R.1162, last week. It now goes to President Barack Obama for his signature.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Mining project threatens sacred Huichol mountains in Mexico Tuesday, February 14, 2012<br /><br />Members of the Huichol Tribe in Mexico say a $100 million silver mine threatens their way of life. <br /><br />Tribal members make a 150-mile pilgrimage from their villages in western Mexico to the mountains near Real de Cartorce. They gather peyote from Wirikuta, a mountain that they consider a portal to the world. <br /><br />Another mountain is considered the birthplace of the sun. Both will be affected by the proposed mine. <br /><br />"For them the whole mountain is a temple, and the gold and silver below the ground are there for a reason — they contribute to the energy, and it would be best if they just left it alone," spokesperson Eduardo Guzman told the Associated Press. <br /><br />A Canadian company, First Majestic Silver, and its Mexican partner, Real Bonanza, say the mine won't harm any sacred sites although permits are being sought to drill shafts inside both sacred mountains. They are also promising to set aside land for the tribe.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Obama proposes another increase for IHS budget in FY2013 Monday, February 13, 2012<br /><br />The Indian Health Service will see another boost in its budget under the fiscal year 2013 budget proposal that President Barack Obama released today. <br /><br />According to the White House Office of Management and Budget, the IHS will be funded at $4.422 billion. That's an increase from the $4.307 billion estimate for fiscal year 2012. <br /><br />It's also an increase from the $4.069 billion that the IHS saw in fiscal year 2011. When other spending is added, the agency will receive what appears to be a record $5.5 billion under Obama's request. <br /><br />"The budget includes $5.5 billion for the Indian Health Service (IHS) to strengthen federal, tribal, and urban programs that serve two million [American Indians and Alaska Natives] at over 650 facilities in 35 states," the OMB wrote. <br /><br />According to the document, the budget provides increases for contract health services. These are funds that the IHS uses to purchase care at outside facilities. <br /><br />The OMB also said the budget will increase funds for construction of new hospitals and clinics and to staff new facilities.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br /><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;">Native American Prayer <br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Oh, Great Spirit Whose voice I hear in the winds, <br /><br />And whose breath gives life to all the world hear me, I am small and weak, I need your strength and wisdom. Let me walk in beauty and make my eyes ever behold the red and purple sunset. <br /><br />Make my hands respect the things you have made and my ears sharp to hear your voice. <br /><br />Make me wise so that I may understand the things you have taught my people. <br /><br />Let me learn the lessons you have hidden in every leaf and rock. <br /><br />I seek strength, not to be greater than my brother, but to fight my greatest enemy - myself. Make me always ready to come to you with clean hands and straight eyes. So when life fades, as the fading sunset, my Spirit may come to you without shame.<br /><br /><br />(translated by Lakota Sioux Chief Yellow Lark in 1887)</span></span> <br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;">***************OF IMPORTANCE******************PLEASE READ</span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <br />I would like to talk to you about something we can all help with. Keeping people alive! People, that in most cases, have no resources to help themselves so they sit and wait for death from freezing or hunger. People that live in broken down trailers covered in cardboard to keep the wind out. People that have no running water, no working bathroom, no heat, and still manage to thank their Creator for what they do have. I know, you are thinking "I wish I could help these poor people but I don’t have enough for my family"! Imagine…you have no food and someone offers you ten dollars to buy your family food. Just ten dollars!!!! To us this is not much, maybe the morning coffee at Dunkin Donuts and a donut to go with it. How about the next paperback book you want to read? I am sure there are things we can sacrifice to help these strong people stay alive through the bad times. (for some of them that has been their whole life) <br /><br />Yes, this place is in the United States of America!!! Not some foreign country. Right here!!!<br /><br />As you all must know by now, I am pretty much still looking for a place to live …We are dealing with Tony’s alzheimers and my illnesses which makes it difficult at times. I can’t see that ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ yet..but I know its there!!!!<br /><br />I tell you this because we could still find five or ten dollars to send to help people worse off than us. A few dollars can’t get us out of our dilemma, but if we all send something we WILL make a difference to someone. Please…dig down and pull out what ever you can. Below is some information, please read it and do what you can, please?<br /><br />As our friend</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"> Joan Rodriguez says it:</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">EVERY YEAR MANY ELDERLY AND CHILDREN IN SOUTH DAKOTA FREEZE TO DEATH AND THE CONSTANT STRUGGLE TO RAISE MONEY FOR PROPANE &amp; WARM CLOTHING &amp; FOOD, MEDICAL &amp; SHELTER BECOMES A MAIN OBJECTIVE! PLEASE WORK WITH US AT FREDDY &amp; LITTLE MASSI CALLING CORP TO HELP US GET THESE BASIC LIFE SAVING ITEMS TO THEM , BY DONATING WHATEVER LITTLE YOU CAN SO THAT WE CAN KEEP PROVIDING THESE SERVICES ASAP : Make your contribution to Pay Pal Account : freddyandlittlemassicallingcor​p@yahoo.com or <br /><br />If you would like more information on Freddy Little Massi Calling Corp. you can see it on their facebook page at: Freddy Little Massi or call David in NY: 1 646.294.6623 or Wanbli in SD 605.828.0973 You can always contact me at: </span></span><a href="mailto:shiakoda@att.net"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span lang="">shiakoda@att.net</span></span></span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span lang=""> or 860.873.1672 and I will do whatever I can to help you understand that this is not a hand-out..it’s a hand-up! </span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">Conditions need to change so they can help themselves one day and not have to depend on others, literally, for their lives. Between all of us we can make the change that they need. I will be praying for you to be touched by Creator and help however you can. They need just about everything: food, clothing, household goods, fuel, monetary donations, etc. If you have suggestions on how to raise money for this cause please contact me Shi at </span></span><a href="mailto:shiakoda@att.net"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span lang="">shiakoda@att.net</span></span></span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span lang="">. Maybe we can get together and start something up in our state.</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">As David Anthony says: "It’s not about us, it’s about the people"! </span></span><a href="mailto:freddyandlittlemassi?callingcorp@yahoo.co?m"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span lang="">freddyandlittlemassi​callingcorp@yahoo.co​m</span></span></span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"></span></span></span></a><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span lang=""> </span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">Thank you so much and many Blessings<br /><br />Shiakoda Autumn Wolf Moon Q.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">You have noticed that everything an Indian does in a circle, and that is because the Power of the World always works in circles, and everything and everything tries to be round.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"> <br />In the old days all our power came to us from the sacred hoop of the nation and so long as the hoop was unbroken the people flourished. The flowering tree was the living center of the hoop, and the circle of the four quarters nourished it. The east gave peace and light, the south gave warmth, the west gave rain and the north with its cold and mighty wind gave strength and endurance. This knowledge came to us from the outer world with our religion.<br /><br />Everything the power of the world does is done in a circle. The sky is round and I have heard that the earth is round like a ball and so are all the stars. The wind, in its greatest power, whirls.<br /><br />Birds make their nests in circles, for theirs is the same religion as ours.<br /><br />The sun comes forth and goes down again in a circle. The moon does the same and both are round. Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing and always come back again to where they were.<br /><br />The life of a man is a circle from childhood to childhood, and so it is in everything where power moves. Our teepees were round like the nests of birds, and these were always set in a circle, the nation's hoop, a nest of many nests, where the Great Spirit meant for us to hatch our children.<br /><br />Black Elk, Holy Man of the Oglala Sioux 1863-1950 <br /><br />Over a hundred years ago Black Elk had a vision of the time when Indian people would heal from the devastating effects of European migration. In his vision the Sacred Hoop which had been broken, would be mended in seven generations.<br /><br />The children born into this decade will be the seventh generation.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />RECIPES:<br /><br />Winter Corn Chowder<br /><br />Yield: 1 pot<br /><br />1 1/2 c Dried corn 6 sl Bacon<br /><br />4 c Milk 1/2 ts Salt<br /><br />3 c Broth 2 c Chopped onion<br /><br />2 ts Sugar <br /><br />Rinse corn and combine with broth in saucepan; bring to boil. Remove to heat and allow to stand for 2 hours, then cook for 45 minutes. Cook bacon in skillet until crisp. Drain. Cook onion in drippings. Add to corn mixture and simmer 5 minutes. Add milk, sugar, and salt; sprinkle with bacon.<br /><br />*~~~~~ *~~~~~~ *~~~~~~<br /><br />S-que-wi (Cabbage)<br /><br />Yield: 1 batch<br /><br />1 Head cabbage <br />Green pepper <br />Bacon grease <br /><br />Chop cabbage; wilt in hot grease (small amount). Add half of a green pepper, chopped. Cook until cabbage turns red. Serve with cornbread.<br /><br />*~~~~~ *~~~~~ *~~~~~<br /><br />Squash Blossom Stew<br /><br />Serves: 4-6<br /><br />5 lg squash blossoms <br />3 summer squash, cubed <br />1 c sliced green beans <br />1 1/2 lb. lamb or beef, cubed small <br />3 ears fresh corn <br />3 spring onions with tops <br />1 clove garlic, mashed <br />2 t salt <br />1/2 t oregano (or 3 mint leaves) <br />8 c water <br /><br />Boil meat until tender, remove from stock. Cut corn from cob, chop spring onions and add all vegetables to stock and simmer until tender. Add meat, seasonings, and squash blossoms; simmer 15 minutes. <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Heard Museum hosts 22nd annual Hoop Dance competition Monday, February 13, 2012</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">After staying out of the competition for a few years, Dallas Arcand returned to the ring. The Cree man from Alberta, Canada, who won the contest in 2006 and 2007, reclaimed the title of world's best hoop dancer. </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"> <br />Lane Jensen (Navajo/Pima/Maricopa) placed second. Tony Duncan (San Carlos Apache/Mandan/Hidatsa/Arikara), who was the 2011 champion, came in third. <br /><br />Rounding out the adult division were Jasmine Rae Pickner-Bell (Crow Creek Dakota), Lowery Begay (Navajo) and Michael Goedel (Lumbee/Yakima/Tulalip) <br /><br />The rest of the contest proved to be a family affair. Three-time youth champion Tyrese Jensen, son of Lane Jensen, won his first teen division world championship over Talon Ree Duncan, Tony Duncan’s younger brother, and Vanessa Schocko (Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa &amp; Chippewa). <br /><br />Brian Hammill (Ho Chunk) held onto his senior division title, with Moontee Sinquah (Hopi/Tewa) taking second place. Longtime hoop dancer Terry Goedel (Yakima/Tulalip), father of Michael Goedel, won third place. <br /><br />In the youth division, Tiana Schocko, the younger sister of Vanessa Schocko, won the world title; Nedallas Hammill (Navajo/Ho-Chunk), the son of Brian Hammill, won second place; and Jacob Cabarrubia (Little River Band of Ottawa Indians) came in third. <br /><br />An estimated 7,000 people attended the event.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />FUNNIES:<br /><br />Two Indians at Plymouth Rock watch a huge ship full of white people pulling into the harbor. The one looks at the other and asked "Do you think they'll stay overnight?".<br /><br />*~~~~~~~~~~ &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; *~~~~~~~~~~<br />An Apache guy, who had spent his whole life in the desert, goes to visit a friend who had moved to town. He'd never seen a train or the tracks they run on.<br /><br />While standing in the middle of the railroad tracks one day, he hears this whistle -- Whooee da Whoee! -- but doesn't know what it is.<br /><br />BAM!!, he's hit by the train and tossed to the side of the tracks. It was only a glancing blow, so he was lucky enough to live through it with a few broken bones and some bruises.<br /><br />After weeks in the hospital recovering, he's at his friend's house attending a party one evening. While in the kitchen, he suddenly hears the teapot whistling. He grabs a baseball bat from the nearby closet and proceeds to batter and bash the teapot into an unrecognizable lump of metal. His friend, hearing the noise, rushes into the kitchen, sees what's happened and asks the Apache guy, "Why'd you bust up my teapot?" The desert man replies, "Shii' kiis', you gotta kill these things when they're small."<br /><br />*~~~~~~~~~~ &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; *~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />This wagon train is heading across the desert, when all of a sudden the wagon master notices that on all sides of the valley, there are Indian guys. He quickly forms the wagons into the "Hollywood" circle, to protect the families in the train. Nothing happens. Soon, drums are heard pounding out in the distance, BUM, bum, bum, bum, BUM, bum, bum, bum, BUM, bum, bum, bum.......(the famous Hollywood drumbeat from the John Ford movies) The wagon master tells the train, "I don't like the sound of this...." From out in the distance comes another voice, saying, "We don't like the sound of it either. He's not our regular drummer!"<br /><br />*~~~~~~~~~~ &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; *~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />rez (reservation) dawgs<br /><br />How can you spot the difference between a regular canine and a Rez dog?<br /><br />Throw each one in the oven at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.<br /><br />The regular canine should come out tender and moist.<br /><br />The Rez dog will come out with a towel wrapped around his waist saying,<br /><br />"Dang that was a good sweat!"<br /><br />*~~~~~~~~~~ &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; *~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Q: What do you call a Sioux guy out walking his dog? <br /><br />A: Vegetarian<br /><br />*~~~~~~~~~&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; *~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Ghost Indian<br /><br />Two Ponca men were sitting out on a back road visiting. All at once there was a tapping on the window.<br /><br />"Ah Hoh!" "Hey guy!" "I think there is a ghost tapping on the window!"<br /><br />Sure enough a wizened face with long flowing white hair was there just out side the window.<br /><br />The Ponca man driving shoved his foot down on the gas and immediately was doing 60 miles and hour.<br /><br />"Step on it!" "He's still out there!" And sure enough, there was another tapping at the window.<br /><br />The driver shoved his foot to the floor again! This time he was doing ninety (90) miles an hour.<br /><br />Still the ghostly figure tapped on the window.<br /><br />"You better giver 'er some more gas!" "He's still out there." <br /><br />"I can't go any faster, I've got her up to 120 miles an hour<br /><br />About that time the little old man motioned for the passenger to roll the window down, which he did.<br /><br />"Say Boys!" "I was wanting to know, do you need a shove to get out of this mud hole?"<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />"Only to the white man was nature a "wilderness" and only to him was the land "infested" with "wild" animals and "savage" people. To us, it was tame. Earth was bountiful and we were surrounded with the blessings of the Great Mystery. Not until the hairy man from the east came and with brutal frenzy heaped injustices upon us and the families we loved was it "wild" for us. When the very animals of the forest began fleeing from his approach, then it was for us that the "wild west" began."<br /><br />Luther Standing Bear,<br /><br />Chief of the Oglala Sioux Tribe (1868-1939)<br /><br />Land of the Spotted Eagle, 1933<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />PRAY FOR:<br /><br />Chief Strong Horse...health <br />Elder Tony Cricket...health <br />Elder Wendell Deer With Horns…Health and the best outcome for him with his job. <br />Elder Tom Flanders…Health and Recovery <br />Elaine… Grandfather owls wife...health and healing <br />Bob C....health and healing <br />Bobbie C...health and strength <br />Sarah Spirit...health, healing, wisdom and strength <br />Leonard Peltier...spiritual strength and health <br />Valentine family....spiritual strength <br />Terri....health<br /><br />Pray for all that are incarcerated that they find peace and a new way. <br />Pray for wisdom for our Spiritual Leaders so they can help others find their way <br />Pray for our troops fighting for our freedom <br />Pray for UTAN... to keep us strong and always together <br />Pray for all Clan Mothers and Chiefs...to show the right way and to lead with strength and wisdom <br /><br />All our ancestors and relations <br /><br />Please…special prayers for Wanbli and David and all the good they so selflessly do for our people. Thank you so much guys. Many blessings will come to you. <br /><br />Bless Freddy Little Massi Calling Corp for all they have done and are doing.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />SEVEN VALUES OF LAKOTA LIFE<br /><br />1. Woc' ekiya-- Praying: finding spirituality by communicating with your highter power, this is communication between you and Tunkasila without going through another person or spirit.<br /><br />2. Wao' hola--Respect: for self, highter power, family, community and all of life.<br /><br />3. Waun' sila--Caring and Compassion: love, caring and concern for one another in a good way, especially for the family, the old ones, the young ones, the orphans, the ones in mourning, the sick, and the ones working for the people.<br /><br />4. Wowijake--Honesty and Truth; with yourself, highter power, and others with sincerity.<br /><br />5. Wawokiye--Generosity and Helping: helping without expecting anything in return, giving from the heart.<br /><br />6. Wah' wala--Humility; we have a spirit, we are no better nor less than others.<br /><br />7. Wo' okagnige--Wisdom; practice with knowledge comes wisdom.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />ANIMAL GUIDES:<br /><br />This is a list of animals that come into our dreams and waking life and what it means to you when you see them. They either have a one time message for you or they are coming to you as your new animal totem. If they appear to you they always have a message for you now in your daily life.<br /><br />The Bear<br /><br />The bear holds the teachings of introspection. When it shows up in your life pay attention to how you think, act and interact. Use discernment in all that you do and discriminate with care. Bear teaches you how to make choices from a position of power.<br /><br />The Cougar<br /><br />The other side of cougar is its illusive quality. It can appear without being noticed and quietly take control of a situation. Sometimes this can lead to conflict with others over territory. Those with cougar medicine have past life connections relating to power and leadership. When the cougar selects you as its student be prepared for the ride of your life. It can shred you into little pieces (dissolve karma and identity) then put you back together again with a pure heart and purpose. True leadership through gentle assertiveness is what cougar teaches those with this totem.<br /><br />The Coyote <br /><br />Like the coyote we can work with others to get what we want in life, or we can dive into a lake to catch a reflection. We can send troubles away or invite them carelessly. When coyote wanders into your life you are being asked to look at something you have been avoiding. Coyote is our mirror for the lessons we need to learn in order to walk a good sacred road. It will hold up the mirror relentlessly until we finally get the picture. Call on coyote as an ally for negotiating a difficult situation. Or thank him for coming and showing you a trap that you are caught in, or a way that you are fooling yourself. Coyote is an especially powerful teacher with regard to relationships because it is when we are in a relationship that we can fool ourselves the most. Coyote is not out there to get us, but to teach us, whether we want to learn or not.<br /><br />The Crow<br /><br />The striking black color of crow represents the color of creation. It is the womb out of which the new is born. Black the color of night gives birth to the light of a new day. Crow is a daytime bird reminding us that magic and creation are present in both. Their ability to shift between the known and unknown world indicates new journeys. Because crow is adaptable to all environments and will eat almost anything, they can survive in almost any situation. Crow is associated with magic, unseen forces and spiritual strength. If crow flies into your life, get out of your familiar nest, look beyond your present range of vision, listen to its caw and act accordingly.<br /><br />The Deer<br /><br />Watching the deer and her young is a reminder to honor the child like innocence within your self and move with gentleness and an open heart. It also suggests that you stand strong on your path and not allow yourself to get distracted by outside influences. The set of antlers that the male deer grows are the antennae that connects it to higher forms of attunement. If you encounter a deer in the wild try to count the number of points on their antlers. This number ties into numerology and can hold great significance for those with this totem.<br /><br />The Dog<br /><br />Certain breeds of dog were designed for specific functions. The study of the breed and its purpose can help you define the energy associated with it. Since wolves and coyotes are its descendants these should be studied as well. The behavior of a dog often reflects the personality of its owner. Through its observation and constant interaction with you it anticipates your next move, and serves as a mirror image of who you truly are. The dog is a great teacher for those who are willing to be loyal students. The choice is yours.<br /><br />The Eagle<br /><br />They remind us to pay attention to our speech and how it affects others. Our words as well as the tone of our voice should be examined. Eagle asks us to maintain a prayerful connection with Spirit, to keep our minds focused on what is important in life. Maintaining this attitude removes being judgmental from our consciousness. Without judgment we speak with encouragement and kindness towards others. Lessons associated with judgment are part of this medicine. Eagles have excellent vision. Perched high in a tree they appear to analyze and observe everything. If Eagle has blessed you with its presence in some way, you are being given potent gifts of clarity and vision to use for the good of all people helping to bring forth the light out of the darkness. Eagle also serves as a reminder to those with this totem to communicate with Great Spirit daily so the gifts Eagle offers you can be utilized fully.<br /><br />The Elk<br /><br />When elk appears in your life, it may be telling you to polish your act and carry yourself with pride and power. That does not mean you should be egotistical, however, for elk knows that its true power comes from Great Spirit. It shows off the gifts it has been given and uses them to its advantage. Elk holds the medicine of strength and empowerment. If you need to be impressive in a situation, it would be good to connect with elk and learn from it. If you are shy or unsure elk can show you how to become more confident.<br /><br />The Fox<br /><br />Those with fox as a totem are often clever and witty but must remember to keep their crafty and clever nature balanced or it could backfire. Fox can also suggest that your actions might be too obvious and you need to learn to be more discreet. Fox is one of the most uniquely skilled and ingenious animals of nature. Because it is a creature of the night, it is often imbued with supernatural powers. The fox has a long history of magic and cunning associated with it. It can move in and out of situations restoring order or causing confusion depending on the situation. If fox is your totem pay attention to the way it moves and follow its lead. This is a powerful medicine to have and those that it belongs to should learn to use its skills for the benefit of all, including you.<br /><br />The Hawk<br /><br />The destiny of all humankind is to awaken from their spiritual amnesia and realign with the original intention of their soul. When the hawk flies into our life we will be asked to evaluate who we have become and rip out the threads of our self created illusions. This enables our inner truth to surface. Hawk signifies union with Great Spirit. A bird of the heavens the hawk orchestrates the changes necessary for our spiritual growth. Having this totem can be bitter sweet. If we accept its presence in our life we will be asked to surrender anything that doesn't honor the integrity of all life. Be it an idea, a feeling or an action. Although hard work is involved the rewards the hawk offers us are great.<br /><br />The Horse<br /><br />When the horse, either wild or domestic, appears in your life the following questions should be asked. Are you pushing boundaries that are going to cause severe repercussions? Are you trying in your need to be free, to not play by the rules? If so, this may not be a bad thing, but learn the lesson of mustang, there can be a high price to pay for freedom.<br /><br />The Owl<br /><br />They are able to slip in and out of places unnoticed and can teach us how to do the same. Those with this medicine are usually gifted with clairvoyant and clairaudient abilities. Souls who are born with this totem have chosen a path which suggests a need to refine and perfect these gifts for the aid of others. They make excellent therapists, psychologists and counselors. Active at dawn and dusk owls are sometimes referred to as the night eagle, a messenger from the darkness and a guide through all the mysteries that it contains. It teaches us how to embrace our personal darkness without fear. If the owl appears in your life thank it for its willingness to guide you through its shadowy realm to the other side of promise and joy.<br /><br />The Rabbit<br /><br />Sensitive with keen observation skills, the rabbit has strong reflexes that help them dash to safety quickly protecting them selves from danger. They can be seen, disappear and reappear in the twinkling of an eye. Fast, agile and clever they hold the teachings of spontaneous decisive movement. Always knowing which direction to go and when. When rabbit appears it is enabling you to take advantage of opportunities that may only present themselves for brief moments. Rabbits are guides into the shadow world, where all of our personal fears lie. When the rabbit appears it is time to examine those deep reflexive fears that hold you back from growing. Do you keep dashing for the safety of your old patterns every time something new or challenging presents itself? If so the rabbit asks you to face your fears with compassion for yourself. Accept that it is part of human nature to feel fear at times, but also believe that our fears need not paralyze our growth and movement.<br /><br />The Raccoon<br /><br />Hiding behind its mask it can take on several identities at once and play out different roles. Seldom does it reveal its true identity. It loves adventure and leads us down a road to new discoveries. Shape shifting is part of its magic. Those with this totem do well in professions relating to the theater. Raccoons have an air of indifference around them when caught in the act of a robbery, although if provoked they can become ferocious. Strong and muscular the raccoon can hold its ground in most all situations and teaches us to do the same. The raccoon is a powerful ally and holds the gift of transformation. When, it appears in a persons life the many faces of self are about to be revealed.<br /><br />The Raven<br /><br />The raven knows the mystery of life. They have an intimate association with death and rebirth. Because raven would feed on the corpses of the dead hanging on the gallons, early European settlers feared this bird and considered it to be an ill omen. In truth, however, raven should be respected not feared. There are many stories in native cultures about this illusive black bird. Shamans know the power of an unexpected piercing sound in altering consciousness. Ravens exercise this power, emitting a variety of sounds and can aid us in shifting our consciousness into various dimensional realms. This is one reason why the raven is known as a shape shifter with magical powers. Anyone with raven as a totem can expect continual changes and spiritual awakenings throughout their life. Raven picks its students according to their accumulated wisdom. It flies into a person’s life carrying the energy of magic and healing. If it decides to settle in and take up residence, it will stay as long as necessary to aid you in transmuting your karma then return you to the light. It will push, prod, and lead you into the discovery of your multidimensional self and reunite you with the secrets of the multidimensional universe. Those with this totem should remember to meet raven, not with fear, but rather with an appreciation for the teachings that it holds.<br /><br />The Redbreasted Robin<br /><br />The red coloring of the robins chest is linked to the Kundalini in man. This life force lives coiled up within the base of the spine. When sufficient spiritual growth has been attained it uncoils, rising up the spine to create heightened awareness. This process enhances psychic vision which leads us into enlightenment. Those with this medicine are dedicated spiritual seekers. Growth can be slow and arduous. With patience, compassion and proper focus spiritual ideals are achieved. Robins lay powder blue eggs. This is the color associated with the throat chakra in man. It is also linked to heavenly inspiration. Because the throat chakra's main function is to express the will of God and the egg is symbolic of new life, this helpful little totem teaches us how to assert the creative will of God in all we do. It leads us into new beginnings without fear by restoring faith within our hearts.<br /><br />The Snake<br /><br />Snake has been a symbol of life and sexuality for thousands of years in many cultures. It is a totem of power, renewal and transmutation. Snakes lack eardrums and external ear openings but have small bones in the head that conduct sound. They are able to hear low frequency sounds and sense vibrations that travel through the earth. This links them to the underworld where secrets are stored. The snake symbolizes healing on a cellular level. Because their bodies are lightweight and flexible they have speed and agility. When they enter into your world expect swift changes to sweep through your life. These changes signify a death of the old and a birth into untapped power, creativity and wisdom. Snake is a powerful totem to have. Only those with a high degree of spiritual training, be it past or present, will be awarded this totem. It is the guardian of sacred places and the keeper of hidden knowledge.<br /><br />The Wolf<br /><br />They howl to find other pack members or to let wolves from outside of the pack know their territory boundaries. If you hear a wolf howl it might be telling you to stand your ground and defend your boundaries. The Wolf teaches you to have a balance between the needs your family has of you and the needs you have for yourself. They are totally loyal to the pack but do not give up their identity to the pack. If wolf appears in your life you are being asked to look at where you are being too dependent and where you may be too independent. In both family and community there needs to be a balance. Their body language is symbolic for those with this medicine. Man also uses body language to convey messages. The study of this art can increase perception in those with this totem. They do not fight unnecessarily and often go out of their way to avoid fighting. Sometimes a growl, a glance, a posture is all that is necessary to determine dominance. Wolf teaches those with this medicine to know who you are and to develop strength and confidence in what you do,<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Well, time for me to wrap it up. I always think I am writing a book!! <br /><br />Please, don’t forget Freddy Little Massi…reach out and help them before its too late and we lose another life to the weather. The Dakotas are so cold in the winter.<br /><br />Thank you my friends. Please pass on the information about Freddy Little Massi and save a life!!<br /><br />Don't forget, if there is anything you would like to share please get in touch with me and I will put it in the next newsletter. Make sure it is clean without cussin and/or nasties. Thank you.<br /><br />Many Blessings, <br /><br />Shiakoda Autumn Wolf Moon Q.<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"></span></span>Shiakoda Autumn Wolf Moon Q.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04821100742943607490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749857024160092168.post-55842875726598717532012-01-15T10:19:00.000-08:002012-01-15T10:19:21.303-08:00<b>WOLF SPIRIT Newsletter Jan. 2012<br /><br /><br /><br />Happy New Year everyone. Heres to a better year. May it bring you good health and wisdom and keep you safe.<br /><br />My resolution is to never make another resolution, they are too hard to keep!! I hope you do better with yours. :&gt;)<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: x-large;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: x-large;">Blackfeet Tribe Calls State of Emergency</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">Five Fires Cause Highway Closure &amp; Evacuations</span></span></b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Native Briefs. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">This Fire was Sparked by a Downed Power Line</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> <b></b><br /><b>BLACKFEET INDIAN RESERVATION</b> - Wild winds are blamed for the spreading of several fires on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. Eyewitnesses tell us fires are concentrated near the Browning area all the way to Blackfoot, Montana.<br /><br />US Highway 2 was closed and people living in some 20 homes were evacuated. The Tribe opened its Tribal Administration Building and was assisted by the Red Cross.<br /><b></b><br /><b>"Every jurisdiction in the area is working on the blaze," </b>said Wayne Smith, director of communications for the Tribe.<br /><br />It is believed the fire was sparked by a downed power line about 5 pm mst, on Wednesday and fueled by high winds nearing 70 mph caused the fire to spread rapidly.<br /><b></b><br /><b>"Local police, fire and EMS crews are everywhere. Responding where they are able to,"</b>tweeted Shannon James Augare, a state senator from Browning.<br /><b></b><br /><b>"Please keep these individuals in your prayers."<br /><br />"People are calling me from Browning and telling me, it is like an inferno out there,"<br /></b><br />Debbie McShane, president of the AIM Montana Chapter, told the Native News Network just before midnight.<br /><i></i><br /><i>posted January 5, 2011 7:20 am est<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /></i><br />Progress reported as Blackfeet Nation battles two big wildfires<br />Thursday, January 5, 2012<br /><br /><br />The </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.blackfeetnation.com/"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">Blackfeet Nation</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> of Montana declared a state of emergency on Wednesday in response to two large wildfires on the reservation. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Fanned by strong winds, the fires have burned over 10,000 acres. But crews appeared to be gaining control thanks to rain and a lot of help from volunteers. <br /><br />"If not for their help, there is no way we could be this far because of the wind," Bruce Running Crane, an investigator with the tribe's wild land fire department, told The Great Falls Tribune. <br /><br />Nearly 100 people have been forced to evacuate, including 73 children from the the Blackfeet Boarding dormitory. <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />BIA extends comment period for Shakopee Tribe land-into-trust <br />Thursday, January 5, 2012<br /><br /><br />The </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.bia.gov/"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">Bureau of Indian Affairs</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> is giving officials in Shakopee, Minnesota, more time to comment on a land-into-trust application submitted by the </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.shakopeedakota.org/"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">The city wanted more time because it just swore in </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.bradtabke.com/"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">Mayor Brad Tabke</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> and a new council member. Tabke has already met with tribal leaders and has sought to improve government-to-government relations. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">And in one of their first actions, the city council voted to sit down with the tribe to discuss the application before submitting comments to the BIA. The tribe is seeking to place 133 acres in trust. <br /><br />Other communities, however, are fighting the tribe's request. <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Cherokee Nation seeks gag order in ICWA dispute making news<br />Thursday, January 5, 2012<br /><br /><br />The </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.cherokee.org/"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">Cherokee Nation</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> of Oklahoma is seeking a gag order in an ongoing </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.nicwa.org/Indian_Child_Welfare_Act/"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">Indian Child Welfare Act</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> case that is making national headlines. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Dusten Brown, a tribal member, took custody of his two-year-old daughter, Veronica Maldonado, on New Year's Eve. She's now living in Oklahoma but the South Carolina couple who tried to adopt her have started a </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.change.org/petitions/save-veronica"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">petition</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> and </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.saveveronica.com/"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">supporters</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> are rallying to their cause. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">"In an effort to quell the undue outside attention to this sensitive affair, the Cherokee Nation attorney general's office filed a motion for a gag order in the Maldonado case Wednesday afternoon, along with a motion to release the judge's final order to the public," Chrissi Ross Nimmo, the tribe's assistant attorney general, told News on 6. "I ask that all parties involved in the matter respect the confidential nature of these juvenile court proceedings." <br /><br />Matt and Melanie Capobianco say they will keep fighting to regain custody of the girl. <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />MBPN: David Slagger, Maliseet, is sworn in to Maine Legislature<br />Thursday, January 5, 2012<br /><br /><br />"As Governor Paul LePage (R) swore in the newest member of Maine's 125th Legislature in the Cabinet room at the State House Wednesday morning, a number of tribal representatives looked on. David Slagger - Maine's first ever Maliseet legislator - is dressed in a hand-beaded tribal vest - especially made for this week's event. It's adorned with bear claws and sea shells. On the back is a hand-stitched tribal symbol, depicting porcupine quills. <br /><br />"This is such an exciting day. It's a day that's long overdue, really," said Brenda Commander, chief of the Houlton band of Maliseets. "I mean we've waited all these years to have a voice here in the State House and the legislature, and now today we finally have our representative and it's historic for us." <br /><br />The Houlton Band of Maliseets was formally recognized as a tribe by the US government in 1980 and in 2010 it was authorized to send a representative to the Legislature. The tribe part of the larger Maliseet Nation of New Brunswick Canada." <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Samson Cree Nation backs law aimed at ousting gang members<br />Thursday, January 5, 2012<br /><br /><br />Members of the </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.samsoncree.com/"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">Samson Cree Nation</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> of Alberta voted 479-370 in favor of a bylaw aimed at banishing gang members from the reserve. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Authorities say as many as a dozen gangs operate on and near the reserve. Gangs have been blamed for a rise in violent crime, including a slew of shooting deaths last year. <br /><br />"It boils down to … the murders, the drive-bys, the violence that has plagued our community," council member Kirk Buffalo told CBC News. <br /><br />The three other First Nations in the area, however, do not have a banishment law on the books. <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Smithsonian: Totem pole arrives at NMAI from Pacific Northwest<br />Thursday, January 5, 2012<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">""When it shows up, it looks like a log. It’s a very daunting feeling. It rolls in, and you think, ‘Oh my god. What have I decided to do?’" David Boxley, Jr., an artist and member of the Tsimshian tribe, is discussing the moment the 22-and-a-half-foot, 2500-pound old-growth red cedar giant from British Columbia was delivered to his family’s home in Kingston, Washington in early October. Carefully chiseling it, he looks up and says, "but then you start working on it, and you get this far, and you realize it’ll be all right." </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Nearly three months later, and after a 2783-mile journey to the National Museum of the American Indian, the tree has been transformed into a monumental piece of art. Boxley and his father, expert carver and artist David Boxley, Sr., have labored over the pole for countless hours, sketching a traditional design, carving it into the wood with precision and chiseling the curves down to an immaculate smoothness. From now through January 11, they will be completing the finishing touches in front of the public, before their work is unveiled as a permanent addition to the museum’s Potomac Atrium on January 14. An official unveiling ceremony will include a performance by Git-Hoan, a traditional dance group led by Boxley, Sr." <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Mohegan Tribe still working on a deal for $1.6B in gaming debt<br /><br />Thursday, January 5, 2012 <br /><br />The Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut is optimistic about renegotiating $1.6 billion in gaming debt, officials said. <br /><br />Chairman Bruce "Two Dogs" Bozsum told The Norwich Bulletin that "good progress" has been made. And the CEO of the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority said lenders remain confident of a deal because they agreed not to place restrictions on a recent debt waiver. <br /><br />"This waiver eliminated the possibility of them doing that," CEO Mitchell Etess told The New London Day. "We believe it demonstrates their confidence in the tribe and the authority." <br /><br />The tribe was unable to refinance its debt by December 31. A $675 million line of credit is due in March and another $250 million in bonds matures in April, The Day reported. <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Keith Little of Navajo Code Talkers Association passes on at 87<br />Wednesday, January 4, 2012<br /><br /><br />Keith Little, the president of the </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.navajocodetalkers.org/"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">Navajo Code Talkers Association</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">, died on Tuesday night. He was 87. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Little was a U.S. Marine who use the Navajo language to transmit codes during World War II. He later became the driving force to build the National Navajo Code Talkers Museum &amp; Veterans Center. <br /><br />"A proud Marine, a revered veteran of WWII, deep devotion to his family, and an engaging, kind, and noble man – he will be sorely missed and a loss to the country as well," the association said in a </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://navajocodetalkers.org/news_and_events/?p=177"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">press release</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">A public memorial service is scheduled for this Friday. The funeral will take place on Saturday. <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Tejon Indian Tribe to start preparing for future as newest tribe<br />Wednesday, January 4, 2012<br /><br /><br />Leaders of the newest federally recognized tribe will be meeting soon to prepare a plan for their future. <br /><br />Vice chairman Jim Appodaca of the Tejon Indian Tribe of California said health care, education and housing are top priorities. "We really don't know what's next," he told The Bakersfield Californian. "The council will meet and we'll start putting together a plan." <br /><br />The tribe was inadvertently left off the list of federally recognized tribes, according to the </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.bia.gov/"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">Bureau of Indian Affairs</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">. Appodaca said the tribe supplied documentation to show that it maintained a government-to-government relationship with the U.S. throughout the 1900s. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">"Upon review of the facts and history of this matter, including prior Assistant Secretaries’ decisions, I hereby reaffirm the federal relationship between the United States and the Tejon Indian Tribe, thus concluding the long and unfortunate omission of the Tejon Indian Tribe from the list of federally recognized tribes," Assistant Secretary Larry Echo Hawk said in a letter, according to a </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.bia.gov/idc/groups/public/documents/text/idc015898.pdf"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">BIA press release</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />IPR: Ancestral remains to be reburied at cemetery in Michigan<br />Wednesday, January 4, 2012<br /><br /><br />"Human remains discovered at a construction site on Mackinac Island in November are being reburied this week. But an official on Mackinac Island says the city will not care for the new memorial site. <br /><br />The bones were uncovered after the historic McNally Cottage was demolished by developers to make way for a new hotel. They are likely a mix of Native American and European ancestry and had been buried in an early Catholic cemetery before they were disturbed. They will reside in a portion of the new St. Anne's Catholic cemetery on the island. Instead of being reburied, the bones and the soil they were dug up with will be formed into a mound in the shape of a turtle." <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">PRAY FOR:<br /><br />Chief&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Strong&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Horse...health&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />Elder Wendell Deer With Horns…Health and the best outcome for him with his job. <br />Elder Tom Flanders…Health and Recovery <br />Elaine… Grandfather owls wife...health and healing <br />Elder Tony Cricket...health<br />Bob C....health and healing <br />Bobbie C...health and strength <br />Sarah Spirit...health, healing, wisdom and strength <br />Leonard Peltier...spiritual strength and health <br />Lora Lee…Health , strength and healing <br />Lynn from Oxford...health, healing and strength <br />Dottie and family...strength and healing <br /><br />Pray for all that are incarcerated that they find peace and a new way. <br /><br />Pray for wisdom for our Spiritual Leaders so they can help others find their way <br /><br />Pray for our troops fighting for our freedom <br /><br />Pray for UTAN... to keep us strong and always together <br /><br />Pray for all Clan Mothers and Chiefs...to show the right way and to lead with strength and wisdom <br /><br />All our ancestors and relations<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ <br /><br />So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart.<br />Trouble no one about their religion;<br />respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours.<br />Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life.<br /><br />Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people.<br />Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.<br />Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend,<br />even a stranger, when in a lonely place.<br />Show respect to all people and grovel to none.<br /><br />When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living.<br />If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself.<br /><br />Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools<br />and robs the spirit of its vision.<br /><br />When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled<br />with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep<br />and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way.<br />Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.<br /><br />Chief Tecumseh (Crouching Tiger) Shawnee Nation 1768-1813<br /></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">FUNNIES:<br /><br />Why Sharks Circle You Before Attacking<br /><br />Two great white sharks swimming in the ocean spied survivors of a sunken ship.<br />"Follow me son" the father shark said to the son shark and they swam to the mass of people.<br /><br />"First we swim around them a few times with just the tip of our fins showing." And they did.<br /><br />"Well done, son! Now we swim around them a few times with all of our fins showing."<br />And they did.<br /><br />"Now we eat everybody." And they did.<br /><br />When they were both gorged, the son asked, "Dad, why didn't we just eat them all at first?<br />Why did we swim around and around them?"<br /><br />His wise father replied, "Because they taste better without the crap inside<br /></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">*~~~~~~ *~~~~~~<br /></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span><br /><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">A Dine' guy is sitting in a bus stop with two old Anglo men. The first Anglo guy says, "<i>Hey Herb, where you going for vacation this year</i>?" Herb tells him, "<i>I'm going to Montana to fish this year</i>", The first guy looks at him and exclaims, "<i>What you want to go there fer? They ain't nothin but a bunch of damned Indians up there</i>." Herb then says, "<i>Well, where you goin</i>?" The first guy says, "<i>I'm going to Arizona and soak up some sun</i>!" Herb looks at him and yells, "<i>You moron, there's nothing but a bunch of Indians in Arizona</i>!" Then the little Dine' guy speaks up and comments, "<i>Why don't you both just go to hell! There's no Indians there.</i>"</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">*~~~~~~ *~~~~~~<br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Subject: Indian and Genie<br /><br />An Indian man has spent many days crossing Montana without water.<br /><br />His horse dies of thirst. He's crawling through the grass, certain that he has breathed his last, when all of a sudden he sees an object sticking out of the ground several yards ahead of him.<br /><br />He crawls to the object, pulls it out of the dirt, and discovers what looks be an old brief case. He opens it and out pops a genie....<br /><br />But this is no ordinary genie. He is wearing a Bureau of Indian Affairs badge and dull grey suit. There's<br />a calculator in his pocket. He has a pencil tucked behind one ear. "Well, kid," says the genie. "You know how it works. You have three wishes."<br /><br />"I'm not falling for this." says the man. "I'm not going to trust a B.I.A. employee."<br /><br />"What do you have to lose? You've got no transportation, and It looks like you're a goner anyway!"<br /><br />The man thinks about this for a minute, and decides that the genie is right.<br /><br />"OK, I wish I were on a lush reservation with plentiful food and drink." <br /><br />***POOF***<br /><br />The man finds himself on the most beautiful rez he has ever seen, surrounded with jugs of Rum and platters of delicacies.<br /><br />"OK, kid, what's your second wish."<br /><br />"My second wish is that I were rich beyond my Chiefs wildest dreams."<br /><br />***POOF***<br /><br />The man finds himself surrounded by treasure chests filled with rare gold coins and precious gems.<br /><br />"OK, kid, you have just one more wish. Better make it a good one!"<br /><br />"Ok, I wish I would be desired and loved by everyone?"<br /><br />***POOF***<br /><br />He is changed into a crunchy chocolate bar.<br /><br />The moral of the story? If the B.I.A offers you anything, for sure someone is going to have to deal with some nuts.<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">*~~~~~~ *~~~~~~<br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">A white girl and an Indian boy were on their first date, and this was like in 1930. The boy wanting to please the girl asked her? "I want to take you to a very nice place to eat." "Where would you like to go."<br /><br />The girl was equally anxious to make a good impression and didn't answer right away. However, lest she be silent too long, she said. "Oh dear me!"<br /><br />"Hmmm!" "That's good!" The young man replied. "Turkey me!"<br /><br />You have to be Indian to get it.<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">*~~~~~~ *~~~~~~<br /></span><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"></span></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Ghost Indian</span></span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><br /><br />Two Ponca men were sitting out on a back road visiting. All at once there was a tapping on the window.<br /><br />"Ah Hoh!" "Hey guy!" "I think there is a ghost tapping on the window!"<br /><br />Sure enough a wizened face with long flowing white hair was there just out side the window.<br /><br />The Ponca man driving shoved his foot down on the gas and immediately was doing 60 miles and hour.<br /><br />"Step on it!" "He's still out there!" And sure enough, there was another tapping at the window.<br /><br />The driver shoved his foot to the floor again! This time he was doing ninety (90) miles an hour.<br /><br />Still the ghostly figure tapped on the window.<br /><br />"You better giver 'er some more gas!" "He's still out there."<br /><br />"I can't go any faster, I've got her up to 120 miles an hour.<br /><br />About that time the little old man motioned for the passenger to roll the window down, which he did.<br /><br />"Say Boys!" "I was wanting to know, do you need a shove to get out of this mud hole?"<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">*~~~~~~ *~~~~~~<br /></span><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">INDIAN REZ HOROSCOPES:</span></b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br /><br />CAPRICORN Dec 22-Jan 19:<br />You are always saving junk and dragging things around the yard. You are basically a pack rat. There has never been a tidy Capricorn on your Indian Reserve. You should quit stealing other people's garbage.<br /><br />AQUARIUS Jan 20-Feb 18:<br />You haven't the foggiest idea who you are and you've stayed stupid for too long. You are a natural liar. On the other hand, you are compelled to the dinner table where, you make loud sucking noises, as you devour sixteen pork neckbones. Everyone thinks you Indian name should be 'Vacuum Neck'.<br /><br />PISCES Feb 19-Mar 20:<br />You have no imagination and you always think the Department of Indian Affairs or Social Services are following you. You have influence over welfare administrators and friends think you're a weasel. You lack perseverance and are generally a chicken. Pisces people like to beat the ugly cats and sniff their nose a lot.<br /><br />ARIES Mar 21- Apr 19:<br />You are an old stiff and this is reflected in everything you do. You are always whining over nothing and think everyone is out to rob you of something. You should take 11 sweats, one after another.<br /><br />TAURUS Apr 20- May 20:<br />You like to work like hell and you are a genuine Jack of all trades. Most people think you are just getting in their way. you are stubborn and persistent. You are stubborn and persistent. You should get on welfare, immediately.<br /><br />GEMINI May 20- June 21:<br />You are very intelligent on your feet but lose all credibility when sitting down. People like you because you know how to cash in food vouchers. This means your're a con artist. Geminis are notorious for their pimping.<br /><br />CANCER June 22- July 22:<br />You are sympathetic and understanding to other people's problems. Friends think you are a sponge and you are always misplacing your sweetgrass. That is why you will always drive a 'rez bomb' and have<br />a fat mate.<br /><br />LEO July 23-Aug 22:<br />You consider yourself a warrior, others think you're a macho egotistical creature of habit. Most Leos like to pick on little people. You have no ambition and will forever live in your mind. Leo people are scared to go to the sun dance and prefer to make love to their mirrors.<br /><br />VIRGO Aug 23- Sep 22:<br />You like to have things in perfect order and will pick nits all day. Your sex life has become well known, due to you meticulous nature. Friends think you're an example of institutionalization and would make a model inmate at the local prison.<br /><br />LIBRA Sep 23- Oct 23:<br />You have extreme difficulty with reality. This disorder began at the Rez school and will cause further serious mental shortcomings. Chances for employment are nil and you'll have to do bead work for the rest of your life. All Libra's light their sweetgrass from the wrong end.<br /><br />SCORPIO Oct 24- Nov 21:<br />You are a shrewd and conniving Aboriginal. You land claim cannot be settled because you also want them to throw in Africa and China. Your work ethics defy logic but this stems from the fact that you know everything. Most Scorpios develop Jean Chretien-type mouths.<br /><br />SAGITTARIUS Nov 22- Dec 21:<br />You are extemely optimistic and have the tendency to rely on Indian Medicine. The majority of Sagittarians carry little bundles of leather and will do weird things suddenly. You should take 365 vision quests, 67 sweat ceremonies, 39 Sun Dances and a Valium.<br /></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">*~~~~~~ *~~~~~~<br /></span><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"></span></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Indian Humor - NM Style</span></span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><br /><br />A New Mexico State Trooper pulled over a van on I-25 about ten miles north of "The Pit". When the trooper asked the driver why he was speeding the driver answered that he was a juggler and he was on his way to Sandia Casino to do a show that night and didn't want to be late. The trooper told the driver he was fascinated by the juggling, and if the driver would do a little juggling for him, he wouldn't give him a ticket. The driver told the trooper that he had sent all of his equipment on ahead and that he didn't have anything to juggle. The trooper told him that he had some flares in the trunk of his squad car and asked if he could juggle them. The juggler stated that he could, so the trooper got three flares, lit them and handed them to the juggler. <br /><br />While the man was doing his juggling act, an old pickup with expired plates pulled up behind the squad car. An Indian who was obviously intoxicated, staggered out and watched the performance briefly. He shook his head, went over to the squad car, opened the door and got in. The trooper observed the man doing this and went over to his squad car opened the back door and asked the drunk what he thought he was doing?! The drunk replied...."Sha-Bro....might as well take me to jail....There's no way in hell I can pass THAT test!!!!" <br /><br />*~~~~~~ *~~~~~~<br /><b></b><br /><b>You know it's time to lose weight when:</b><br /><br />* You can't see your moccasin strings anymore<br /><br />* You "duck" during the duck and dive and you can't get back up<br /><br />* You find yourself bringing zip lock bags and a sack to the powwow feast<br /><br />* You get in line twice at the powwow feast and lie by saying, "this plate is for my grandma who's sitting in the car," and you don't realize she just went through the line 10 people ahead of you.<br /><br />* You can't fit your choker, because you no longer have a neck<br /><br />* Your family has to stop half way to the powwow to replace the springs on your car<br /><br />* The car naturally tilts downward on the side you always ride on<br /><br />* The youngest kid with the shortest legs has to sit behind your seat, because you have to have the seat pulled all the way back to fit your beefy legs into the car<br /><br />* You eat Indian Tacos like potato chips<br /><br />* You don't even feel your mosquito bites<br /><br />* You have to "rock" a few times to get up out of your chair<br /><br />* People mistake you for a teepee when you wear a white tshirt<br /><br />* You have to "lift" your stomach to show off your new beaded belt buckle<br /><br />* You order a coke and the waitress asks, "Diet?" <br /><br />* You almost pass out in the sweathouse using only one rock<br /><br />* You get scared your belly button might come untied<br /><br />* In a powwow crowd of 1,000 people, everyone stops you to ask your advice about the best food stands AND where's the best fry bread stand<br /><br />* Other dancers use you for shade in grand entry line<br /><br />* You lose a $1,000 dance contest because your excess didn't stop in time with the drum<br /><br />* Your buckskin dress looks like you're still sitting down even if you're up walking around<br /><br />* You have to have your parade horse backed up next the car so you can climb up on the hood of the car and get on<br /><br />* Your parade horse is a "Clydesdale"<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">*~~~~~~ *~~~~~~<br /><br />Q: What do you get when you cross a Chickasaw, a Pottowottomie, and a Paiute? <br />A: A chickie-pot-pie <br /><br />*~~~~~~ *~~~~~~<br /><br />Two Cheyenne guys on relocation spied a sign in a cafe window that said "hot-dogs". Thinking they were some other kind of dogs, they ordered two to go, and went to a park to have lunch. The first Cheyenne guy looked inside his sack, and then threw it down in disgust. <br />"What part did you get?" asked his buddy.<br /><br />*~~~~~~ *~~~~~~<br /></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span lang=""></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Five Horses Is Her Name<br /><br />This is mythical and deep. Truly beautiful... A man asked an American Indian what was his wife's name. He replied, "She is called Five Horses". <br /><br />The man said, "That's an unusual name for your wife. What does it mean?" <br /><br />The Old Indian answered, "It old Indian Name. It mean... <br /><br />NAG, NAG, NAG, NAG, NAG<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span lang="EN">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">List of plants by common name</span></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"> <br />A <br /><br />Açai (Euterpe oleracea) Although açai berries are a longstanding food source for indigenous people of the Amazon, there is no evidence that they have historically served a medicinal, as opposed to nutritional role. In spite of their recent popularity in the United States as a dietary supplement, there is currently no evidence for their effectiveness for any health-related purpose.<br /><br />Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) leaves are used to lower cholesterol, as well as for kidney and urinary tract ailments.<br /><br />Aloe vera leaves are widely used to heal burns, wounds and other skin ailments.<br /><br />Arnica (Arnica montana) is used as anti-inflammatory and for osteoarthritis.<br /><br />Asthma weed (Euphorbia hirta) has been used traditionally in Asia to treat bronchitic asthma and laryngeal spasm It is used in the Philippines for dengue fever.<br /><br />Astragalus (Astragalus propinquus) has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine to strengthen the immune system, and is used in modern China to treat hepatitis and as an adjunctive therapy in cancer.<br /><br /><br /><br />B<br /><br />Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) has a long history of medicinal use, dating back to the Middle Ages particularly among Native Americans. Uses have included skin ailments, scurvy and gastro-intestinal ailments.<br /><br />Belladonna (Atropa belladonna), although toxic, was used historically in Italy by women to enlarge their pupils, as well as a sedative, among other uses. The name itself means "beautiful woman" in Italian.<br /><br />Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) used to treat diarrhea, scurvy, and other conditions.<br /><br />Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) is used as an agent to reduce the blood glucose leve.l<br /><br />Bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) is used by both primates and indigenous peoples in Africa to treat intestinal ailments such as dysentary.<br /><br />Bitter orange (Citrus × aurantium) used in traditional Chinese medicine and by indigenous peoples of the Amazon for nausea, indigestion and constipation.<br /><br />Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa) historically used for arthritis and muscle pain, used more recently for conditions related to menopause and menstruation.<br /><br />Blessed thistle (Cnicus benedictus) was used during the Middle Ages to treat bubonic plague. In modern times, tea made from blessed thistle is used for loss of appetite, indigestion and other purposes.<br /><br />Blueberries (genus Vaccinium) are of current medical interest as an antioxidant and for urinary tract ailments.'<br /><br />Burdock (Arctium lappa) has been used traditionally as a diuretic and to lower blood sugar and, in traditional Chinese medicine as a treatment for sore throat and symptoms of the common cold.</span></span></b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> <br />RECIPES:<br /><br />Winter Corn Chowder \Yield: 1 pot <br /><br /><br /><br />1 1/2 c Dried corn <br /><br />6 sl Bacon <br /><br />4 c Milk <br /><br />1/2 ts Salt <br /><br />3 c Broth <br /><br />2 c Chopped onion <br /><br />2 ts Sugar <br /><br /><br /><br />Rinse corn and combine with broth in saucepan; bring to boil. Remove to heat and allow to stand for 2 hours, then cook for 45 minutes. Cook bacon in skillet until crisp. Drain. Cook onion in drippings. Add to corn mixture and simmer 5 minutes. Add milk, sugar, and salt; sprinkle with bacon. <br /><br /><br /><br />*~~~~~ *~~~~~<br /><br /><br /><br />Squash Blossom Stew Serves: 4-6 <br /><br /><br /><br />5 lg squash blossoms <br /><br />3 summer squash, cubed <br /><br />1 c sliced green beans <br /><br />1 1/2 lb. lamb or beef, cubed small <br /><br />3 ears fresh corn <br /><br />3 spring onions with tops <br /><br />1 clove garlic, mashed <br /><br />2 t salt <br /><br />1/2 t oregano (or 3 mint leaves) <br /><br />8 c water <br /><br /><br /><br />Boil meat until tender, remove from stock. Cut corn from cob, chop spring onions and add all vegetables to stock and simmer until tender. Add meat, seasonings, and squash blossoms; simmer 15 minutes. <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />O' GREAT SPIRIT<br /><br /><br />help me always<br />to speak the truth quietly,<br />to listen with an open mind<br />when others speak,<br />and to remember the peace<br />that may be found in silence. <br /><br />Cherokee Prayer<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Braids<br /><br />Hair is a physical reprensentaion, extention of our thought, and of our Spiritual Essence, our Strength. This is why, when a Loved One Crosses over, a lot of times a Person will cut thier Hair and send it with the Loved One. It is Strength to help them on thier Journey.<br /><br />A Braid is 3 bunches of Hair, braided into 1. It reminds us of the Strength in Unity. We are stonger Together than Alone.<br /><br />The 3 groups of Hair can mean many things. It can be like the Lakota Virtues. 1 stands for Bravery. 1 for Fortitude, in facing Life, Fortitude is internal, facing our problems without burdening others. Living with our pains. 1 for Generosity, taking care of those less fortunate than us, the Elders, and the Young Ones, the feeble and the infirm. Together they make the 4th Virtue, Wisdom, which comes after years of living the other 3.<br /><br />The 3 can also represent, Love, Honor and Respect, which together make the basis of all our relationships, and are what make us Human. By offering Love, Honor and Respect to All, we are full-filling our places on this Earth.<br /><br />Another, way of looking at it is, the 3 represent Body, Mind and Spirit, which together make us Whole.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />OLD COMANCHE NAMES <br /><br />The Treaties signed in the 1800s with various tribes listed the names of the men who signed, along with a translation of their name. <br /><br />I have extracted the names of the Comanche signers, along with the translation given, and will list them here. The spelling is the way it was shown on the original document. <br /><br /><br /><br />Treaty of 1835 Comanche signers: <br /><br />Ishacoly (the Wolf) <br />Queenashano (War Eagle) <br />Tabaqueena (Big Eagle) <br />Pohowetowshah (Brass Man) <br />Shabbakasha (Roving Wolf) <br />Neraquassi (Yellow Horse) <br />Toshapappy (White Hare) <br />Pahohsareya (Broken Arm) <br />Pahkah (Man Who Draws The Bow) <br />Witsitony (He Who Sucks Quick) <br />Leahwiddikah (One Who Stirs Up Water) <br />Esharsotsiki (Sleeping Wolf) <br />Pahtrisula (The Dog) <br />Ettah (Gun) <br />Tennowikah (Boy Who Was Soon A Man) <br />Kumaquoi (Woman Who cuts Buffalo Meat) <br />Taqquanno (Armorous Man) <br />Kowa (Stinking Tobacco Box) <br />Soko (Old Man) <br /><br />*~~~~~~<br /><br />Treaty of 1846 Comanche signers: <br /><br />Pah-ha-u-ca (Amorous Man) <br />Mo-pe-chu-co-pe (Old Owl) <br />Cush-un-a-rah-ah (Ravisher) <br />Ka-bah-ha-moo (Won.t Smoke) <br />O-ka-art-su (Rope Cutter) <br />Moo-ra-que-top (Nasty Mule) <br />Ta-bup-pua-ta (Winner) <br />Kai-tia-tah (Little) <br />Kai-he-na-mou-rah (Blind Man) <br />Ho-chu-cah (Bird.s House) <br />Pah-moo-wah-tah (No Tobacco) <br />Mon-ne-con-nah-heh (Ring) <br />Po-che-na-qua-heip (Buffalo Hump) <br />Santa Anna, Sa-ba-heit (Small Wolf) <br />Quarah-ha-po-e (Antelope Road) <br />Ka-nah-u-mah-ka (Nearly Dead) <br />Ish-a-me-a-qui (Traveling Wolf) <br />Mo-he-ka (Pole Cat) <br />A-ka-chu-a-ta (No Horn) <br />Ka-he-na-bo-ne (Blind Man) <br />Ma-war-ra (Lost) <br />Ke-wid-da-wip-pa (Tall Woman) <br />Pa-na-che (Mistletoe) <br /><br />*~~~~~~<br /><br />Treaty of 1853 Comanche signers: <br /><br />To-che-ra-nah-boo (Shaved Head) <br />Wa-ya-ba-to-sa (White Eagle) <br />Hai-nick-seu (Crow) <br />Ty-har-re-ty (One Who Runs After Women) <br />Para-sar-a man-no (Ten Bears) <br />Wulea-boo (Shaved Head) <br />Ka-ne-re-tah (One That Rides The Clouds) <br /><br />*~~~~~~<br /><br />Treaty of 1865 Comanche signers: <br /><br />Tab-e-nan-i-kay (Rising Sun) <br />Paddy-wah-say-mer Ho-to-yo-koh-wat Esh-tave-prah (Female Infant) <br />A-sha-hav-beet (Milky Way) <br />Co-che-te-ka Queen-ah-e-vah (Eagle Drinking) <br />Ta-ha-yer-quoip (Horse.s Back) <br />Pocka-naw-quoip (Buffalo Hump) <br />Ho-to-yo-koh-wot (Over the Buttes) <br />Parry-wah-say-mer (Ten Bears) <br />Bo-yah-wah-to-yeh-be (Iron Mountain) <br />Bo-wah-quas-suh (Iron Shirt) <br />To-sa-wi (Silver Brooch) <br /><br />*~~~~~~<br /><br />Treaty of 1867 Comanche signers: <br /><br />Parry-wah-say-men (Ten Bears) <br />Tep-pe-navon (Painted Lips) <br />To-she-wi (Silver Brooch) <br />Cear-chi-neka (Standing Feather) <br />Ho-we-ar (Gap In The Woods) <br />Tir-ha-yah-gua-hip (Horse.s Back) <br />Es-a-man-a-ca (Wolf.s Name) <br />Ah-te-es-ta (Little Horn) <br />Pooh-yah-to-yeh-be (Iron Mountain) <br />Sad-dy-yo (Dog Fat)<br /><br />*~~~~~~ <br /><br />Comanche Bands <br /><br />The Treaty of 1865 also listed Band names for some of the Comanches. <br /><br />They were: <br /><br />Tabenanikah, Yaparuka/Root Eater; <br />Paddywahsaymer, Yaparuka; <br />Hotoyokohwat, Yaparuka Band; <br />Eshetaveparah, Yaparuka Band; <br />Ashahabbeet, Penatuka/Sugar Eater; <br />Cocheteka, Kutsutuuka/ Buffalo Eater; <br />Queenahecvah, Nokoni/Go-About Band; <br />Tahayerquoip, Nokoni Band; <br />Pochanawquiop, Penatuka Band; <br />Hotoyokohwot, Yaparuka Band; <br />Parrywahsaymer, Yaparuka Band; <br />Bowahquassuh, Taninuu / Liver Eater Band; <br />Tosawi, Penatuka Band. <br /><br />Article taken from:<br /><br />NUMU TEKWAPUHA NOMENEEKATU NEWSLETTER<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />"What does it matter how long I pray, so long as my prayers are answered?" <br /><br />-- Sitting Bull, HUNKPAPA LAKOTA <br /><br />Too often we worry about the words we use in prayer. We focus on the words. What really counts is the spirit and intent behind our words. It is the spirit and intent that the Creator responds to. He reads and listens to our heart. Prayer isn't only when we fold our hands and pray. Prayer is when we talk to the Creator even when we are walking down a path or sitting on a hill or walking in the mountains. The Elders say, walk in prayer. We should be willing to talk with the Great One. <br /><br />Great Spirit, today I will pray to You all day. Listen to my heart.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Okay, thats it for now. Today is my birthday and I am going to get ready to do NOTHING!!<br /><br />It's not every day you turn 100. :&gt;)<br /><br />Stay safe and many Blessings,<br /><br />Shiakoda</span>Shiakoda Autumn Wolf Moon Q.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04821100742943607490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749857024160092168.post-5581695616064128302011-12-15T17:59:00.000-08:002011-12-16T15:23:46.853-08:00<span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;">WOLF SPIRIT newsletter December 2011<br /><br />With the new year only one month away, this is a good time to start thinking about what changes you want to make for the new year. <br /><br />My first and foremost resolution is to go through everything I own and 'lighten the load'. I need to weed through and throw out. Then I need to work on losing weight. I guess thats enough for now. It will keep me really busy for the new year. How about you? What do you plan on doing?<br /><br />I feel like this year began a few months ago and here I am writting the last one for this year. Time goes too fast!!<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /></span></span><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: x-large;">Ramapough Tribe Rallies To Fight For 'Right To Worship'</span></span></b><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Tribe cited for building Halifax Rd. Longhouse without permit; hearing postponed one month</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><dir> <dir> By</dir></dir></span><dir><dir><a href="http://www.blogger.com/users/jessica-mazzola"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">Jessica Mazzola</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small;"> <br /></span></span></dir><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span></dir><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">About 200 members and supporters of the Ramapough-Lenape Nation chanted in solidarity outside Mahwah’s town hall Tuesday night after the hearing of a municipal court case against the Indian tribe was postponed 30 days.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> <br />According to the Ramapough’s attorney George Cotz, Mahwah’s zoning department cited the tribe in October for building a religious long house on its property without the proper permits. The crowd gathered to face the charge to defend what they felt was unfair treatment, he said.<br /><br />"We are talking about the rights of a racial and religious minority to worship how and where they want to," Cotz said Tuesday night.<br /><br />The case was postponed 30 days by municipal Judge Anthony Gianni, who said the new date should be a Thursday afternoon, and a special court session to handle this case, because "there is such an interest in it." Tuesday night numerous other regularly-scheduled cases were heard.<br /><br />The township is trying to halt the construction of a Ramapough-Lenape ceremonial longhouse until the tribe gets the proper approvals and permits it needs, Mahwah Property Maintenance Officer and Zoning Inspector Tom Mulvey said last month.<br /><br />The tribe is in the middle of building a spiritual longhouse made of logs, tree trunks and branches on its 14-acre open property on Halifax Road.<br /><br />"This land is very important to us. It is used for religious purposes," Assistant Tribal Chief Vinny Mann, who said that the logs used to build the house are from trees that have naturally fallen down, not ones that have been cut, said.<br /><br />"I am empathize with what they are trying to accomplish there, but that doesn’t mean they do not need certain things in order before they build a structure on the land," Mulvey told Patch last month. According to the inspector, the land on Halifax is in either a floodplain or a flood way, so the tribe needs approval from the state Department of Environmental Protection before it can begin building anything on it, longhouses included.<br /><br />"With the last storm, there was three or four feet of water in the area, so the DEP needs to approve it before we can allow anything," he said. After DEP approval, the tribe would also need to apply for a zoning permit and a building permit from the township before they could officially begin building, Mulvey said.<br /><br />Mann argues that since they are not putting together a watertight building, water would be able to flow freely through the house in the event of a flood, and he is hoping the DEP will waive the requirement, or approve the project, based on that.<br /><br />"We put these poles in the ground a year ago, and now we want to finally move forward with this project," Mann said. "This is where we pray and we believe we should have the right to do that." Mann said the Ramapoughs applied for a permit from the town, but were "flat out denied" without the DEP approval. Mann said the tribe has applied for DEP approval, and is currently waiting for it.<br /><br />According to Mulvey, "we have to make sure it’s in compliance with the DEP before we can approve anything." The inspector admits that approval from the state on a project like this often takes "a long time," so anyone planning on building in a floodplain should "plan in advance."<br /><br />Mann says the carver they asked to do the work, an Airmont man named Joseph Liporace, Jr., "is carving spiritual images into what’s standing already."<br /><br />Liporace said he is "more than honored" to be etching the traditional msiingw (pronounced "men-sing") carvings. Though not of Native American decent, or a carpenter by trade, Liporace said he carves figurines as a hobby.<br /><br />"I’m not getting paid for this work, I just see it as a once in a lifetime honor. And, honestly, I didn’t really know how to make these carvings, but I prayed for guidance and it just flowed through my hands. I have no idea how it happened, but I am really enjoying it," he said.<br /><br />The tribe was planning Tuesday night to replicate its big presence at its next court appearance.<br /><br />"We are trying to resolve things with the township," Cotz said, "but it is not a simple question."<br /></span><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"></span></span><br /><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /></span></span><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: x-large;">Dear Santa, Please Buy Indian Again (2011)</span></span></b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">December 11, 2011 </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> <br />Dear Santa,<br /><br />I’ve been good again this year and am very excited for Christmas.<br /><br />Thank you for all of the wonderful Native-made presents you brought my family and me </span><a href="http://www.galandabroadman.com/2010/12/dear-santa-buy-indian-christmas-list/"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">last year</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">. Will you please do the same this year? Since none of this stuff is made at the North Pole you’ll have to buy it again from Indian Country — you know, Buy Indian — OK?</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">For my mom, please bring her a purse or scarf made by </span><a href="http://www.dorothygrant.com/accessories"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">Dorothy Grant</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">. She will feel so good wearing something so beautiful.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">For my dad, please bring him all the </span><a href="http://www.umpquaindianfoods.com/xcart/home.php?cat=254"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">Umqua Indian Foods</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> beef jerky he can eat. He’s easy to please.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">For my oldest brother, please bring him a Louie Gong print </span><a href="http://www.eighthgeneration.com/index.php/site/item/psycho_killer_whale_linocut_print_black_16x20/"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">Psycho Killer Whale Linocut Print</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">. It will look cool in his college dorm room.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">For my older sister, please bring her a Litefoot action figurine, with flat-billed lid, high tops and beat-box accessories. She has a major crush on him. If he is out of stock, please bring her a </span><a href="http://www.litefoot.com/litefoot-christmas-gift-set-bundle-exclusive-offer/"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">Litefoot gift set</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">For me and all of my brothers and sisters, please bring them something from </span><a href="http://store.nativethreads.com/"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">Native Threads</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">, </span><a href="http://www.nakotadesigns.com/products-page"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">Nakota Designs</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">, </span><a href="http://www.hydzgear.com//"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">HYDZ Gear</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">, or </span><a href="http://www.haidashoes.com/"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">Haida Shoes</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">. All of that Native-made gear is awesome.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">For me and my cousins, please bring us Gyasi Ross’ new book, </span><a href="http://www.dkmai.com/buy-the-book-dkmai/"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">"Don’t Know Much About Indians</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">."</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">For the singers and drummers in my family, please bring them a </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/JBear-Rawhide-Hand-Drums/270785086284082"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">JBear Rawhide hand drum</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">For my great aunties, please bring them </span><a href="http://www.quileute-store.com/"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">something authentic from the Quileute Nation</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">. They are huge Twilight fans and would love anything made by Quileute People.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">For my mom, aunties and grandmas, please bring them </span><a href="http://www.sistersky.com/products.htm"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">Sister Sky indigenous bath and beauty products</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">. I know they’ll love the stuff’s smell and feel.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">For my uncles and grandpas, please bring them </span><a href="http://www.tankabar.com/cgi-bin/nanf/public/main.cvw"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">Tanka Gift Baskets</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">. They’ll love the buffalo snacks.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">For everyone, please put </span><a href="http://www.tankabar.com/cgi-bin/nanf/public/order.cvw?sessionid=b7d34939ab448b259c330337a797390a69a28421dd121b"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">Tanka Bars</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> in our stockings. Another great stocking stuffer: </span><a href="http://www.myspace.com/nayeawicahpi/photos/53215368////////l%7B%22ImageId%22%3A53215368%7D"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">Star Nayea’s Christmas Dream CD</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">. </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2499158393034&amp;set=a.1138156248831.2021673.1075135012&amp;type=1&amp;theater"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">Life’s Beautiful Journey holiday cards</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> by Linley Logan would also be a nice touch.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Finally, for my tribe’s and all tribes’ leaders, please give them the tools to build </span><a href="http://www.galandabroadman.com/2010/06/hello-world/"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">vibrant small Indian business sectors and inter-tribal economies</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> so Indian Country will prosper for generations to come, especially when Indian gaming fades away. Unfortunately you must have run short on these tools last Christmas, as Buy Indian still isn’t a reality in Indian Country in 2011. Hopefully that will change in 2012.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Oh, and although I left you homemade chocolate chip cookies last year, I hope you will try the Tanka Bar I left you this year. It should allow you to squeeze down those chimneys a bit easier.<br /><br />Thank you, Santa!<br /><br />Jimmy Indian, age 9<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Native American Prayer <br /><br />Oh, Great Spirit<br />Whose voice I hear in the winds,<br />And whose breath gives life to all the world,<br />hear me, I am small and weak,<br />I need your strength and wisdom.<br />Let me walk in beauty and make my eyes ever behold<br />the red and purple sunset.<br />Make my hands respect the things you have<br />made and my ears sharp to hear your voice.<br />Make me wise so that I may understand the things<br />you have taught my people.<br />Let me learn the lessons you have<br />hidden in every leaf and rock.<br /><br />I seek strength, not to be greater than my brother,<br />but to fight my greatest enemy - myself.<br />Make me always ready to come to you<br />with clean hands and straight eyes.<br />So when life fades, as the fading sunset,<br />my Spirit may come to you without shame.<br /><br /><br />(translated by Lakota Sioux Chief Yellow Lark in 1887)<br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Senate Indian Affairs Committee approves bills at meeting<br />Friday, December 9, 2011<br /><br />The </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://indian.senate.gov/"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">Senate Indian Affairs Committee</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> approved two bills at a business meeting on Thursday. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">The committee approved </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d112:s.1763:"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">S.1763</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">, the </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/News/2011/003565.asp"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">SAVE Native Women Act</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">. The bill restores tribal jurisdiction over non-Indians in domestic violence cases. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">"The SAVE Native Women Act is will work to prevent violent crimes against Native women and will hold perpetrators accountable for their criminal behavior," said Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii), the chairman of the committee. "Although we cannot change the past or right the wrongs for those who have been victimized, we can change their futures by passing legislation to better protect Native women, children and families, and by putting a stop to this cycle of violence." <br /><br />The Obama administration supports the bill, which has 11 co-sponsors, all Democrats. Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nevada), the Senate majority leader, just signed on to the effort. <br /><br />"The SAVE Native Women Act takes steps to address the epidemic of violence against Native women," Reid said. "Abuse and sex trafficking of women will not be tolerated, and I will continue to support legislation that helps keep tribal communities safe in Nevada and all of Indian Country." <br /><br />The committee also approved </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d112:s.1065:"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">S.1065</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">, the Blackfoot River Land Settlement. The bill settles a land dispute involving the </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.shoshonebannocktribes.com/"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">Shoshone-Bannock Tribes</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> of Idaho. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /></span><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: x-large;">North Dakota Rough Rider Award Critic Questions Sakakawea Eligibility</span></span></b><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">December 9, 2011 </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> <br />I read with great surprise that North Dakota resident Sakakawea, who traveled as a guide on the great Lewis and Clark expedition that laid the geographical history of the landscape of early America and helped to locate many of the American Indian tribes, their lands of origin and their </span><a href="http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/culture/"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">cultural</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> uniqueness, was being questioned as eligible to receive the prestigious </span><a href="http://governor.nd.gov/theodore-roosevelt-rough-rider-award"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">Rough Rider Award</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> by at least one historical critic.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Clay Jenkinson, director of the Dakota Institute of the Lewis and Clark Fort Mandan Foundation, in the Forum article said "I think the Rough Rider Award should go to living people who are contributing to our understanding of North Dakota."<br /><br />The irony of anyone suggesting that Sakakawea does not "qualify" for the award because she is not living today and because she is not an original North Dakotan is ridiculous for a number of reasons.<br /><br />First of all, Sakakawea was adopted into the Hidatsa community when she was allegedly kidnapped and adapted to living among the Hidatsas. The irony, of course, is that the United States, supported by a North Dakota Chapter recognizing the Ft. Berthold Reservation and the Ft. Berthold Tribe (now the Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara Nation), placed these three distinct tribes with distinct cultural differences under one geographical roof because they lived peacefully with each other (separately) in the untamed wilds of the Midwest.<br /><br />Sakakawea is unquestionably North Dakotan. If Theodore Roosevelt were still President, in fact, Mr. Jenkinson, he would waive his stick at you and say "Bully for you Sakakawea, ignore this man!" I would have to agree.<br /><br />I am also from North Dakota, tribal member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa. I am Metis and my people are originally from Northern Manitoba. North Dakota gave us repose when our way of life was threatened in Northern Canada. My people have deep roots and relatives here and I, among thousands, was born here. I am North Dakota, Sakakawea is North Dakota and we are proud of her.<br /><br />We do not question society’s choice to allow Arnold Schwarzenegger, born in Austria, to be Governor of California. We do not question (unless you are Donald Trump) the ability for the American people to vote for the first black U.S. President whose father was born in Kenya Africa do we? Last time I checked, American Indians are now allowed to vote, albeit it not that long ago.<br /><br />We voted as North Dakotans for Sakakawea to stand as holding the spirit of North Dakota. The discovery of most of North America, a land already occupied by the Indigenous people, is nothing to sneeze at – so please do not thumb your noses at our choice of North Dakota’s Rough Rider Awardee, Sakakawea, a symbol of strength, wisdom and a darn good tour guide.<br /><i></i><br /><i>Monique Vondall-Rieke is a tribal attorney in North and South Dakota and a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa.<br /></i><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Go Forward With Courage<br /><br />When you are in doubt, be still, and wait;<br />when doubt no longer exists for you, then go forward with courage.<br />So long as mists envelop you, be still;<br />be still until the sunlight pours through and dispels the mists<br />-- as it surely will.<br />Then act with courage.<br /><br />Ponca Chief White Eagle (1800's to 1914)<br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Washington court backs state jurisdiction over smokeshop<br />Friday, December 9, 2011<br /><br /><br />The state of Washington can assert criminal jurisdiction over a smokeshop located in Indian Country, the Washington Supreme Court ruled on Thursday. <br /><br />The Comenout family owns and operates the Indian Country Store on an Indian allotment that is not within the boundaries of a reservation. The court, however, noted that Washington is a </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.tribal-institute.org/lists/pl280.htm"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">Public Law 280</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> state. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">"Washington assumed full nonconsensual 'criminal jurisdiction over all Indian country outside established Indian reservations,'" under Public Law 280, the court wrote. <br /><br />In July 2008, the state raided the smokeshop and seized 37,000 cartons of cigarettes, worth an estimated $750,000. The Comenouts were selling the tobacco without collecting state taxes. <br /><br />The late Edward Comenout was the owner of the store at the time of the raid. He was a member of the </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://209.206.175.157/"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">Quinault Nation</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">, which has signed a tobacco tax compact with the state. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe eager to negotiate casino deal<br /><br />Monday, December 12, 2011 <br /><br /><br /><br />The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe expects to announce a casino site soon and start Class III gaming compact negotiations, Chairman Cedric Cromwell said. <br /><br />The tribe has been looking throughout southeastern Massachusetts. Two prior sites fell through the Cromwell is optimistic about the future. <br /><br />"We're moving forward. We're committed to our sovereign rights and getting our initial reservation approved," Cromwell told The Cape Cod Times. <br /><br /><br /><br />Under H.3702, the state's new gaming law, the tribe has until July 31, 2012, to negotiate a compact. The tribe also needs to have a casino site in place, although the land doesn't have to be in trust by that time. <br /><br />The law also requires the tribe to schedule an election in the host community. <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />DOJ finalizes process to restore role in Public Law 280 state<br />Friday, December 9, 2011<br /><br /><br />The </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.justice.gov/"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">Department of Justice</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> has finalized the process by which it can resume jurisdiction over reservations located in Public Law 280 states. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Under </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.tribal-institute.org/lists/pl280.htm"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">Public Law 280</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">, which was passed during the termination era, six states assumed criminal and civil criminal jurisdiction in Indian Country. The law divested the federal government of its concurrent jurisdiction in these "mandatory" states. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">The law, as amended in 1968, provides a mechanism by which a state can retrocede its jurisdiction over a particular reservation. The </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.justice.gov/tribal/tloa.html"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">Tribal Law and Order Act</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">, which </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.whitehouse.gov/"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">President Barack Obama</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> signed into law in 2010, takes the process one step further by allowing a tribe to request the federal government restore its role. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">"Assumption of concurrent Federal criminal jurisdiction under this rule does not require the approval of any State," DOJ said in a notice published in the Federal Register on December 6. <br /><br />The notice states that the process does not apply to tribes in "optional" Public Law 280 states. DOJ has already concluded that it has maintained concurrent jurisdiction in "optional" states. <br /><br />According to </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://aidainc.net/Publications/pl280.htm"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">Public Law 280: Issues and Concerns for Victims of Crime in Indian Country</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">, the "mandatory" states are California, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oregon, Wisconsin and Alaska. There were some exceptions, as noted by the article, and three "mandatory" states have retroceded jurisdiction over certain reservations. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">The rule describes the process by which DOJ will evaluate requests from tribes in the mandatory states. A notice will be published in the Federal Register within 30 days, opening a comment period on the request. <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />CONNECTING WITH OUR ANIMAL SPIRIT GUIDES<br /><b></b><br /><b>Hawk:<br /><br />Power Animal, Messenger, Discernment, Intuition, Observation, Wisdom, Courage, Truth</b> <br /><br />By Ina Woolcott <br /><br />The hawk's gifts include clear sightedness, being observant, long distance memory, messages from the universe, guardianship, recalling past lives, courage, wisdom, illumination, seeing the bigger picture, creativity, truth, experience, wise use of opportunities, overcoming problems, magic, focus. <br /><br />Hawk is associated with the number 14, with the tarot card Temperance. The Temperance card represents the teaching of higher expressions of psychic ability and vision. <br /><br />The Hawk represents a messenger in the Native American culture. It often shows up in our life when we need to pay attention to the subtle messages found around us, and from those we come into contact with. As with all messages received, it is important to recognise the messages underlying truth. We will be taught to be observant and also pay attention to what we may overlook. This could mean a talent we aren't using, a gift or unexpected help for which we haven't shown our gratitude for, or a message from the Universe. As there are so many hawk varieties, the messages vary and can affect all levels of our psyche. <br /><br />Hawks are the protectors and visionaries of the Air. They hold the key to higher levels of consciousness. This power animal enables us to awakens vision and inspires a creative life purpose. Having Hawk as power animal means your life will be filled with responsibility, because Hawk people seek the overall view. You will most probably be aware of omens and spirit messages. <br /><br />A Red tailed Hawk is special. It will ALWAYS be with you, for life. It has direct ties to the Kundalini, the seat of primal life force. It is linked to the base chakra. If you have this power animal, you need to be aware of and work toward fulfilling your soul's destiny. It reflects far greater intensity of energy within your life: physically, emotionally and mentally. Spiritual forces will be felt strong within you. <br /><br />One trait all hawks share, is the ability to move between the seen and unseen realms gracefully, joining both worlds together. Their acute vision attributes this ability, their discriminating nature keeps them out of dangers path. Hawks have a broad vision, allowing them to see what the future holds. In man this is a symbol of prophetic insight. If this gift is underdeveloped, it is common for people with this power animal to have a tendency of over analysing everything. When this is so, clear vision is lost. You must learn to keep your analytical mind under control, not allowing it to run wild. <br /><br />Hawk posses many hunting skills. The most common, when pursuing prey, is to swiftly follow the prey's efforts to get away. Once the prey is caught in the hawks mighty talons, it is then dismembered with their sharply pointed, powerful beak. For us, this may indicate that we may be able to run, but not hide from our destiny. For, eventually it will catch up with us. <br /><br />The destiny of man is to awaken from their spiritual amnesia and to realign with the original intention of their soul. When the hawk gets a hold of us in his powerful talons, we will be asked to evaluate who we have become and to shatter our self created illusions. This will help our inner truth to come out into the open and for it to shine. <br /><br />Hawk denotes union with All That Is. The hawk is a bird of the heavens, arranging the changes necessary to prompt our spiritual growth. Having this power animal can be bitter sweet. When accepting its presence in your life, you will be asked to surrender/give up anything that doesn't honour the integrity of all life. Whether its an idea, feeling or action. Although hard work is involved, the rewards to be reaped are great, far outweighing this. <br /><br />Source: </span><a href="http://www.shamanicjourney.com/"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">http://www.shamanicjourney.com</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Tigua Tribe leader says Jack Abramoff's apology is too late<br />Monday, December 12, 2011<br /><br /><br />Jack Abramoff says he's sorry for defrauding </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.ysletadelsurpueblo.org/"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">Tigua Tribe</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> out of $4.2 million. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">But the convicted lobbyist isn't apologizing to tribal leaders in person. Instead he told The El Paso Times that he feels bad about stealing their money. <br /><br />"I'd tell them I'm horribly sorry for the things I did that were wrong, that I wish I could make it up to them, I wish I could some way give or do something to make it better," Abramoff told the paper. <br /><br />But Lt. Gov. Carlos Hisa doesn't believe Abramoff is truly remorseful. He said the apology should have come when the scandal broke in early 2004. <br /><br />"I do not find it sincere. The time to come back and apologize is when the investigation was going on," Hisa told the paper. <br /><br />Then he offered Abramoff a response: "You might have hurt us, but we've been through this before, we will survive. We've been here before the United States was even the United States of America. We went through just a lot of rough times and we stand proud and strong," he told the paper. <br /><br />"How proud can he stand? How proud can his children be standing knowing that their dad ruined this for them?" Hisa added. <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Selling rare Cheyenne shirt was responsible choice<br />Thursday, December 8, 2011<br /><br /><br />"The Southern Oregon Historical Society is being practical and prudent by selling valuable artifacts that have no local significance. The society's decision to sell a rare Cheyenne shirt dating from the early 1800s angered some who felt the collection should belong to the Cheyenne tribe, but the society was within its rights to auction the item. <br /><br />The shirt's only link to Southern Oregon was Benjamin Bones, a Grants Pass resident who donated the shirt in 1957. An ancestor of Bones obtained the shirt at Fort McPherson, Neb., near modern-day North Platt. <br /><br />The shirt and several other artifacts were sold at auction in San Francisco on Monday, bringing nearly $370,000 to the historical society — money the struggling organization badly needs after losing its tax base. <br /><br />Cheyenne tribal officials criticized the sale, saying the shirt should be returned to the tribe." <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /></span><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: x-large;"></span></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: x-large;">Herbal medicine </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">Overview:</span></span><br /></b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">What is herbal medicine?</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> <br />Herbal medicine -- also called botanical medicine or phytomedicine -- refers to using a plant's seeds, berries, roots, leaves, bark, or flowers for medicinal purposes. Herbalism has a long tradition of use outside of conventional medicine. It is becoming more mainstream as improvements in analysis and quality control along with advances in clinical research show the value of herbal medicine in the treating and preventing disease.<br /><br />What is the history of herbal medicine?<br /><br />Plants had been used for medicinal purposes long before recorded history. Ancient Chinese and Egyptian papyrus writings describe medicinal uses for plants. Indigenous cultures (such as African and Native American) used herbs in their healing rituals, while others developed traditional medical systems (such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine) in which herbal therapies were used. Researchers found that people in different parts of the world tended to use the same or similar plants for the same purposes.<br /><br />In the early 19th century, when chemical analysis first became available, scientists began to extract and modify the active ingredients from plants. Later, chemists began making their own version of plant compounds, and over time, the use of herbal medicines declined in favor of drugs.<br /><br />Recently, the World Health Organization estimated that 80% of people worldwide rely on herbal medicines for some part of their primary health care. In Germany, about 600 - 700 plant-based medicines are available and are prescribed by some 70% of German physicians. In the last 20 years in the United States, public dissatisfaction with the cost of prescription medications, combined with an interest in returning to natural or organic remedies, has led to an increase in herbal medicine use.<br /><br />How do herbs work?<br /><br />In many cases, scientists aren' t sure what specific ingredient in a particular herb works to treat a condition or illness. Whole herbs contain many ingredients, and they may work together to produce a beneficial effect. Many factors determine how effective an herb will be. For example, the type of environment (climate, bugs, soil quality) in which a plant grew will affect it, as will how and when it was harvested and processed.<br /><br />How are herbs used?<br /><br />The use of herbal supplements has increased dramatically over the past 30 years. Herbal supplements are classified as dietary supplements by the U.S. Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994. That means herbal supplements -- unlike prescription drugs -- can be sold without being tested to prove that they are safe and effective. However, herbal supplements must be made according to good manufacturing practices.<br /><br />The most commonly used herbal supplements in the U.S. include echinacea (Echinacea purpurea and related species), St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum), ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), garlic (Allium sativum), saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), ginseng (Panax ginseng, or Asian ginseng; and Panax quinquefolius, or American ginseng), goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), valerian (Valeriana officinalis), chamomile (Matricaria recutita), feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium), ginger (Zingiber officinale), evening primrose (Oenothera biennis), and milk thistle (Silybum marianum).<br /><br />Often, herbs may be used together because the combination is more effective and may have fewer side effects. Health care providers must take many factors into account when recommending herbs, including the species and variety of the plant, the plant's habitat, how it was stored and processed, and whether or not there are contaminants (including heavy metals and pesticides).<br /><br />What is herbal medicine good for?<br /><br />Herbal medicine is used to treat many conditions, such as asthma, eczema, premenstrual syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, migraine, menopausal symptoms, chronic fatigue, and irritable bowel syndrome, among others. Herbal supplements are best taken under the guidance of a trained health care provider. Be sure to consult with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any herbs. Some common herbs and their uses are discussed below.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><dir> <dir> Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) has been used in traditional medicine to treat circulatory disorders and enhance memory. Although not all studies agree, ginkgo may be especially effective in treating dementia (including Alzheimer's disease) and intermittent claudication (poor circulation in the legs). It also shows promise for enhancing memory in older adults. Laboratory studies have shown that ginkgo improves blood circulation by dilating blood vessels and reducing the stickiness of blood platelets. By the same token, this means ginkgo may also increase the effect of some blood-thinning medications, including aspirin. People taking blood-thinning medications should ask their doctor before using ginkgo. <br /><br />Kava kava (Piper methysticum) is said to elevate mood, well-being, and contentment, and produce a feeling of relaxation. Several studies have found that kava may be useful in the treatment of anxiety, insomnia, and related nervous disorders. However, there is serious concern that kava may cause liver damage. It's not clear whether the kava itself caused liver damage in a few people or whether it was taking kava in combination with other drugs or herbs. It's also not clear whether kava is dangerous at previously recommended doses, or only at higher doses. Some countries have taken kava off the market. It remains available in the United States, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a consumer advisory in March of 2002 regarding the "rare" but potential risk of liver failure associated with kava-containing products. <br /><br />Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) is used by more than 2 million men in the United States for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. A number of studies suggest that the herb is effective for treating symptoms, including too-frequent urination, having trouble starting or maintaining urination, and needing to urinate during the night. But a well-conducted study published in the February 9, 2006 edition of the New England Journal of Medicine found that saw palmetto was no better than placebo in relieving the signs and symptoms of BPH. <br /><br />St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) is well known for its antidepressant effects. In general, most studies have shown that St. John's wort may be an effective treatment for mild to moderate depression, and has fewer side effects than most other prescription antidepressants. But the herb interacts with a wide variety of medications, including birth control pills, so it is important to take it only under the guidance of a health care provider. <br /><br />Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is a popular alternative to commonly prescribed medications for sleep problems because it is considered to be both safe and gentle. Some studies bear this out, although not all have found valerian to be effective. Unlike many prescription sleeping pills, valerian may have fewer side effects such as morning drowsiness. <br /><br />Echinacea preparations (from Echinacea purpurea and other Echinacea species) may improve the body's natural immunity. Echinacea is one of the most commonly used herbal products, but studies are mixed as to whether it can help prevent or treat colds. A meta-analysis of 14 clinical studies examining the effect of echinacea on the incidence and duration of the common cold found that echinacea supplements decreased the odds of getting a cold by 58%. It also shortened the duration of a cold by 1.4 days.</dir> </dir> <br />Buying standardized herbal supplements helps ensure you will get the right dose and the effects similar to human clinical trials. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about which herbal supplements are the best choice for your health concerns.<br /><br />Is there anything I should watch out for?<br /><br />Used correctly, herbs can help treat a variety of conditions and in some cases may have fewer side effects than some conventional medications. But because they are unregulated, herbal products are often mislabeled and may contain additives and contaminants that aren' t listed on the label. Some herbs may cause allergic reactions or interact with conventional drugs, and some are toxic if used improperly or at high doses. Taking herbs on your own increases your risk, so it is important to consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking herbal medicines. Some examples of adverse reactions from certain popular herbs are described below.<br /><dir> <dir> St. John's wort can cause your skin to be more sensitive to the sun's ultraviolet rays, and may cause an allergic reaction, stomach upset, fatigue, and restlessness. Clinical studies have found that St. John's wort also interferes with the effectiveness of many drugs, including the blood thinner warfarin (Couamdin), protease inhibitors for HIV, birth control pills, certain asthma drugs, and many other medications. In addition, St. John's wort should not be taken with prescribed antidepressant medication. The FDA has issued a public health advisory concerning many of these interactions. <br /><br />Kava kava has been linked to liver toxicity. Kava has been taken off the market in several countries because of liver toxicity. <br /><br />Valerian may cause sleepiness, and in some people it may even have the unexpected effect of overstimulating instead of sedating. <br /><br />Garlic, ginkgo, feverfew, and ginger, among other herbs, may increase the risk of bleeding. <br /><br />Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) may increase the risk of seizures in people who have seizure disorders.</dir> </dir> <br />Some herbal supplements, especially those imported from Asian countries, may contain high levels of heavy metals, including lead, mercury, and cadmium. It is important to purchase herbal supplements from reputable manufacturers to ensure quality. Talk to your health care provider for more information.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /></span><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Barley-Vegetable Soup<br /><br />From The Choose to Loose Diet Book by Dr. Ron Goor &amp; Nancy Goor<br /><br /><br /><br />1/2 cup pearl barley, washed <br />1 tsp thyme<br />2 quarts homemade chicken&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;stock, or 3 cans (10 3/4 oz each)<br />freshly ground pepper to taste<br />1 bay leaf<br />chicken broth,&nbsp;&nbsp;strained, + 3 cans water&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />3 - 5 carrots, peeled and sliced<br />2 stalks celery, sliced<br />1 small onion, cut into fourths 1/2 zucchini, sliced<br />1 carrot, cut into thirds <br />1/2 cup onion, chopped<br />1 stalk celery, cut into 1 inch slices <br />2 cups fresh spinach, chopped<br /><br /><br />Place barley, chicken stock, onion quarters, carrot thirds, celery slices, thyme, and bay leaf in a large soup pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 1 hour or until barley is tender.<br /><br />Add sliced carrots, celery, zucchini, and chopped onion and cook until tender.<br /><br />Add spinach a few minutes before serving.<br /><br /><br />Makes 9 one-cup servings<br /><br />Per serving: 100 total calories; trace Fat calories</span></b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">__________________________________________________</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">PRAY FOR:<br /><br />Chief Strong Horse...health <br />TonyCricket...health&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Elder Wendell Deer With Horns…Health and the best outcome for him with his job. <br />Elder Tom Flanders…Health and Recovery <br />Elaine… Grandfather owls wife...health and healing <br />Bob C....health and healing <br />Bobbie C...health and strength <br />Theresa...health and healing <br />Sarah Spirit...health, healing, wisdom and strength <br />Leonard Peltier...spiritual strength and health <br />Lora Lee…Health , strength and healing <br />Lynn from Oxford...health, healing and strength <br />Pray for all that are incarcerated that they find peace and a new way. <br />Pray for wisdom for our Spiritual Leaders so they can help others find their way <br />Pray for our troops fighting for our freedom <br />Pray for UTAN... to keep us strong and always together <br />Pray for all Clan Mothers and Chiefs...to show the right way and to lead with strength and wisdom <br /><br />All our ancestors and relations <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /></span><b><span style="color: navy; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;">2011 HOLIDAY GIFT DRIVE<br /></span></span></span></b><br /><b><span style="color: navy; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span></span></span></b><span style="color: navy; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Children's Toys and Winter Clothing<br />Please only send NEW items for children of ALL ages. Remember that our teens need some holiday cheer, too!<br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">NORTH DAKOTA<br /><b>Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, Belcourt, North Dakota </b>(Leonard Peltier's Nation)<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">TMBCI Holiday Gift Drive<br />Attention Cindy Malaterre <br />PO Box 900 <br />Belcourt, ND 58316 <br /><br />SOUTH DAKOTA<br /></span><b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">Oglala Sioux Nation, Pine Ridge, South Dakota<br /></span></span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Paul Waha Shields<br />PO Box 159<br />Pine Ridge, SD 57770<br /><br /><b>Peltier Network: Relief Services<br /></b><i>Year-Long Support<br /><br /><br /></i><b>Peltier College Scholarship</b> (Cash Donations) <b>and School Supplies </b>(Paper, pens and pencils, binders, erasers, backpacks, etc.)<br />Oglala Commemoration <br />1939 Wentzville Parkway<br />#191<br />Wentzville, MO 63385</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> <br /></span><a href="http://us.mc822.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=oglala_commemoration@yahoo.com"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana;">oglala_commemoration@yahoo.com</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> <br /><br /><br />Thank You!<br />We Wish You Many Blessings This Holiday Season and Throughout the New Year!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />From: "LPDOC" &lt;contact@whoisleonardpeltier.info&gt;<br />Subject: Make Those Calls<br />Date: Thu, 1 Dec 2011 08:44:14 -0800 (PST)<br /><br /><br />Greetings to all. We hope this message finds you well and in good spirits.<br /><br />In support of our activities underway in Washington, DC, relative to the White House Tribal Conference, we ask that everyone make a special effort to call the White House comment line today and tomorrow. Call the Comment Line: (202) 456-1111. Alternatively, call the White House Switchboard - (202) 456-1414 - and ask to be connected with the Comment Line. If calling from outside the United States, dial first the International Area Code + 1 (US country code).<br /><br />Do also recall that you can contact the White House by Web form (new): </span><a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/submit-questions-and-comments"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/submit-questions-and-comments</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">.<br /><br />Organizations that wish to submit an e-mail message to the President in support of Leonard Peltier's freedom should use this Web form address: </span><a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/organization"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/organization</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">.<br /><br />Thank you.<br /><br />Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee<br />PO Box 7488, Fargo, ND 58106<br /></span><a href="http://www.whoisleonardpeltier.info/"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;">www.whoisleonardpeltier.info</span></span></u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></a><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />FUNNIES:<br /><br />Ed came home drunk one night, slid into bed beside his sleeping wife, and fell into a deep slumber.<br /><br />He awoke before the Pearly Gates, where St. Peter said, 'You died in your sleep, Ed.'<br /><br />Ed was stunned. 'I'm dead? No, I can't be! I've got too much to live for. Send me back!'<br /><br />St. Peter said, 'I'm sorry, but there's only one way you can go back, and that is as a chicken.'<br /><br />Ed was devastated, but begged St. Peter to send him to a farm near his home.<br /><br />The next thing he knew, he was covered with feathers, clucking and pecking the ground.<br /><br />A rooster strolled past. 'So, you're the new hen, huh? How's your first day here?'<br /><br />'Not bad,' replied Ed the hen, 'but I have this strange feeling inside. Like I'm gonna explode!'<br /><br />'You're ovulating,' explained the rooster. 'Don't tell me you've never laid an egg before?'<br /><br />'Never,' said Ed.<br /><br />'Well, just relax and let it happen,' says the rooster. 'It's no big deal.'<br /><br />He did, and a few uncomfortable seconds later, out popped an egg!<br /><br />He was overcome with emotion as he experienced motherhood.<br /><br />He soon laid another egg -- his joy was overwhelming.<br /><br />As he was about to lay his third egg, he felt a smack on the back of his head, and heard.....<br /><br />"Ed, wake up! You shit the bed!"<br /><br />Getting OLD just ain't what they said it would be! <br /><br /><br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Two sisters, one blond and one brunette, inherit the family ranch. Unfortunately, after just a few years, they are in financial trouble.. <br /><br />In order to keep the bank from repossessing the ranch, they need to purchase a bull so that they can breed their own stock.<br /><br />Upon leaving, the brunette tells her sister, 'When I get there, if I decide to buy the bull, I'll contact you to drive out after me and haul it home.'<br /><br />The brunette arrives at the man's ranch, inspects the bull, and decides she wants to buy it. <br /><br />The man tells her that he will sell it for $599, no less. <br /><br />After paying him, she drives to the nearest town to send her sister a telegram to tell her the news. <br /><br />She walks into the telegraph office, and says, 'I want to send a telegram to my sister telling her that I've bought a bull for our ranch. <br /><br />I need her to hitch the trailer to our pickup truck and drive out here so we can haul it home.'<br /><br />The telegraph operator explains that he'll be glad to help her, then adds, it will cost 99 cents a word. <br /><br />Well, after paying for the bull, the brunette realizes that she'll only be able to send her sister one word. <br /><br />After a few minutes of thinking, she nods and says, 'I want you to send her the word 'comfortable.'<br /><br />The operator shakes his head. 'How is she ever going to know that you want her to hitch the trailer to your pickup truck and drive out here to haul that bull back to your ranch if you send her just the word 'comfortable?'<br /><br />The brunette explains, 'My sister is a blond. The word is big. <br /><br />She'll read it very slowly...<br /><br />'com-for-da-bul. <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana;"></span></span><br /><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana;">I would like to share an experience with you all, to do with drinking and driving.<br /><br /><br />As you know some of us have had brushes with the authorities on our way home in recent months.<br /><br /><br />Well I for one have done something about it. The other night I was out for a dinner and a few drinks with some friends.<br /><br /><br />Well, after having far too much vino, and knowing full well I was wasted,<br />I did something I’ve never done before. I took a bus home.<br /><br /><br />I arrived home safely and without incident, which was a real surprise, as I have never driven a bus before.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />POOR BLONDES <br /><br /><br />A woman &amp; her husband are lying in bed <br /><br />Listening to the next door neighbor's dog.. <br /><br />It has been in the backyard barking for hours &amp; hours. <br /><br />The woman jumps up out of bed and says, <br /><br />"I've had enough of this". <br /><br />She goes downstairs. <br /><br />She finally comes back up to bed <br /><br />And her husband says, "The dog is still barking, <br /><br />What have you been doing?" <br /><br />The woman says, <br /><br />"I put the dog in our backyard, <br /><br />let's see how THEY like it! <br /><br />++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<br /><br />Two women With Hammers... <br /><br />Lynn &amp; Judy were doing some carpenter work <br /><br />on a Habitat for Humanity House. <br /><br />Lynn was nailing down house siding, <br /><br />would reach into her nail <br /><br />Pouch, pull out a nail &amp; either toss it <br /><br />over her shoulder or nail it in. <br /><br />Judy, figuring this was worth looking into, asked, ' <br /><br />Why are you Throwing those nails away?' <br /><br />Lynn explained, 'When I pull a nail out of my pouch, <br /><br />about half of Them have the head on the wrong end <br /><br />&amp; I throw them away.' <br /><br />Judy got completely upset &amp; yelled, <br /><br />'You moron! Those nails aren't Defective! <br /><br />They're for the other side of the house!' <br /><br /><br /><br />+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ <br /><br /><br /><br />Did you hear about the two blondes <br /><br />who froze to death in a drive-in movie? <br /><br />They had gone to see 'Closed for the Winter.' <br /><br /><br /><br />+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ <br /><br /><br /><br />A blonde was driving home after a game &amp; got caught in a really bad hailstorm.. Her car was covered with dents, so the next day she took it to a repair shop. The shop owner saw that she was a blonde, so he decided to have some fun... He told her to go home and blow into the tail pipe really hard, &amp; all the dents would pop out. <br /><br />So, she went home, got down on her hands &amp; knees &amp; started <br /><br />blowing into her tailpipe.. Nothing happened.. So she blew a little <br /><br />harder, &amp; still nothing happened. <br /><br />Her roommate saw her &amp; asked, 'What are you doing?' The <br /><br />blonde told her how the repairman had instructed her to blow into the tail pipe in order to get all the dents to pop out. <br /><br />The roommate rolled her eyes &amp; said, 'Uh, like hello! <br /><br />You need to roll up the windows first.' <br /><br />+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ <br /><br /><br /><br />A blonde was shopping at Target &amp; <br /><br />came across a shiny silver Thermos. <br /><br />She was quite fascinated by it, so she picked it up &amp; took <br /><br />It to the clerk to ask what it was. <br /><br />The clerk said, 'Why, that's a thermos..... <br /><br />It keeps hot things hot, And cold things cold.' <br /><br />'Wow, said the blonde, 'that's amazing....I'm going to buy it!' <br /><br />So she Bought the thermos &amp; took it to work the next day. <br /><br />Her boss saw it on her desk. <br /><br />'What's that,' he asked? <br /><br />'Why, that's a thermos..... It keeps hot things hot &amp; cold things <br /><br />Cold,' she replied.. <br /><br />Her boss inquired, 'What do you have in it?' <br /><br />The blond replied..... <br /><br />'Two popsicles &amp;some coffee.' <br /><br />+++++++++++++ <br /><br />AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST <br /><br />A blonde goes into work one morning crying her eyes out. <br /><br />Her boss asked sympathetically, 'What's the matter?' <br /><br />The blonde replies, <br /><br />'Early this morning I got a phone call saying that <br /><br />My mother had passed away.' <br /><br />The boss, feeling sorry for her, says, <br /><br />'Why don't you go home for the <br /><br />Day? Take the day off to relax &amp; rest.' <br /><br />'Thanks, but I'd be better off here. <br /><br />I need to keep my mind off it &amp; <br /><br />I have the best chance of doing that here.' <br /><br />The boss agrees &amp; allows the blonde to work as usual. <br /><br />A couple of hours pass &amp; the boss decides to check on the blonde. <br /><br />He looks out from his office &amp; sees the blonde crying hysterically... <br /><br />'What's so bad now? Are you gonna be okay?' he asks <br /><br />'No!' exclaims the blonde. <br /><br />'I just received a horrible call from my <br /><br />sister. Her mother died, too!'<br /><br /><br /><br />Blondes Are The Best!!! <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />THE YEAR'S BEST COMEBACK RESPONSE <br /><br />If you ever testify in court, you might wish you could have been as sharp as this policeman. He was being cross-examined by a defense attorney during a felony trial. The lawyer was trying to undermine the police officer's credibility ..... <br /><br />Q: 'Officer --- did you see my client fleeing the scene?' <br /><br />A: 'No sir. But I subsequently observed a person matching the description of the offender, running several blocks away.' <br /><br />Q: 'Officer, who provided this description?' <br /><br />A: 'The officer who responded to the scene.' <br /><br />Q: 'A fellow officer provided the description of this so-called offender. Do you trust your fellow officers?' <br /><br />A: 'Yes, sir. With my life.' <br /><br />Q: 'With your life? Let me ask you this then officer. Do you have a room where you change your clothes in preparation for your daily duties?' <br /><br />A: 'Yes sir, we do!' <br /><br />Q: 'And do you have a locker in the room?' <br /><br />A: 'Yes, sir, I do.' <br /><br />Q: 'And do you have a lock on your locker?'<br /><br />A: 'Yes, sir.' <br /><br />Q: 'Now, why is it, officer, if you trust your fellow officers with your life, you find it necessary to lock your locker in a room you share with these same officers?' <br /><br />A: 'You see, sir, we share the building with the court complex, and sometimes lawyers have been known to walk through that room.'<br /><br /><br />The courtroom EXPLODED with laughter, and a prompt recess was called. The officer on the stand has been nominated for this year's 'Best Comeback' line -- and we think he'll win.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">As this year ends I pray for health and peace for all.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> <br />As we go along, fighting our many daily battles, please remember those worse off then you. You many not see them but they are out there. They are the ones you hear about on the news at night, the ones you read about in the paper. It is so easy to say "Those poor people" and not think...it could have been me/us. Evil abounds folks, thank Creator for each new day, ask him to protect and us from evil this day. Pray for your neighbors that they are not touched by this evil. Keep your family close and safe. Help each other, even if you don't know a person that needs help, if you are near, do what you can. There are plenty of organizations looking for donations...it doesn't have to always be money, there are other ways to help..just ask.<br /><br />Wishing you all healthy and happy holidays.<br /><br />Shiakoda Autumn Wolf Moon Q.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span>Shiakoda Autumn Wolf Moon Q.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04821100742943607490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749857024160092168.post-80691028128720241492011-11-12T12:26:00.000-08:002011-11-12T12:26:40.566-08:00WOLF SPIRIT<br /><br />November already???? Wow!! Where did this year go? Soon it will be another year and time for our New Year’s resolution. What are you going to resolve to do? Think about it and let me know. I will make a section for ‘resolutions’, lets see who keeps theirs. :&gt;)<br /><br />Enjoy!<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Alaska Native team wins state basketball title for 3rd year<br />Monday, November 7, 2011<br />Filed Under: <a href="http://www.blogger.com/Education/"><u><span style="color: blue;">Education</span></u><span style="color: blue;"></span></a> | <a href="http://www.blogger.com/Sports/"><u><span style="color: blue;">Sports</span></u><span style="color: blue;"></span></a> <br /><br />The boys basketball team from the Alaska Native village of Point Hope is hoping to make history again this season. <br /><br />The Tikigaq School Harpooners have won the Class 2A Alaska State Basketball Championship each year since 2009. That's a record in the state and a big feat for a team that has to fly to all of its away games. <br /><br />"This is where I grew up," Denzel Tooyak, a senior guard, told The New York Times. "Everything I do, I do for the whole community and my people." <br /><br />The team is hoping for a fourth consecutive win under new head coach Leonard Barger. The season begins next month. <br /><span style="color: blue; font-family: AR DECODE; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: AR DECODE; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: AR DECODE; font-size: medium;"></span></span></span><br /><span style="color: blue; font-family: AR DECODE; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: AR DECODE; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: AR DECODE; font-size: medium;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></span></span><br />Loleta smoke shop sued by state for 'contraband cigarettes'<br /><br />Posted: 11/07/2011 02:40:09 AM PST<br /><br />A tribal tobacco shop in Loleta has been ordered by the California Attorney General's Office to stop selling what it describes as illegal cigarettes and to cease distributing them beyond the boundaries of the Wiyot Table Bluff Reservation in Humboldt County. <br /><br />What was originally an order in a letter dated nearly one year ago has transformed into a lawsuit against the Huber Enterprise Smoke Shop and owner Ardith Huber, alleging the shop has been selling contraband cigarettes since March 2007. The case is scheduled to be heard this week by a Humboldt County Superior Court judge. <br /><br />The state said in the lawsuit that the smoke shop sells cigarette brands that aren't listed on the California Tobacco Directory and aren't certified as compliant with the California Cigarette Fire Safety and Fire Protection Act. The lawsuit said such brands include Seneca, Opal, Sky Dancer, Smokin' Joes and All Natural Native cigarettes. <br /><br />Lynda Gledhill, spokeswoman for the Attorney General's Office, said one of the reasons the lawsuit was brought against the shop is that Huber has sold these cigarettes beyond the reservation's boundaries and to non-tribal members. <br /><br />"We believe Huber is a major supplier of contraband," Gledhill said. <br /><br />According to the lawsuit, Huber allowed non-Native Americans and other businesses to place orders by telephone for shipment. Customers were allegedly encouraged to buy these "cheap" and "tax-free" cigarettes on the shop's website, ndnsmokes.com, which no longer exists. <br /><br />In addition, the lawsuit states Huber's choice not to charge taxes on the cigarettes is in violation of California's Unfair Competition Law, making the state lose an 87-cent tax on each package of 20 cigarettes and encouraging people to buy non-state-licensed cigarettes. <br /><br />While tribal cigarettes aren't covered by the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement of 1998, which requires tobacco companies to pay states to help mitigate the costs of smoking-related public health expenses, Gledhill said that tribal cigarettes are still subject to state taxes. The letter sent to the smoke shop last year states, "Native American tribes and tribal retailers that sell cigarettes to non-Indians and non-members of the tribe are legally obligated to collect applicable state taxes." <br /><br />Michael Robinson, Huber's attorney, said he didn't want to discuss the specifics of the case but said the next step is for the Humboldt County Superior Court to make a ruling on Nov. 10 as to whether the case can even be heard due to jurisdictional issues. <br /><br />"You've got a Native American on her own Indian reservation," Robinson said. "Tribes are sovereign entities." <br /><br />He said the state doesn't have jurisdiction over Huber's smoke shop because it's part of a tribal reservation. He said he originally filed his response to the lawsuit in federal court, but it was remanded back to the state. <br /><br />"We still believe that the issue of whether or not the state can regulate Indian reservations is a federal issue," Robinson said. <br /><br />Gledhill said Huber's smoke shop isn't the first Native American tobacco retail facility to be targeted by the Attorney General's Office for selling contraband cigarettes. <br /><br />"There have been others ... BlackHawk, SevenLeaf, Roadrunner and NativeBuy," Gledhill said, listing smoke shops that have been shut down. <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Honor the sacred. Honor the Earth, our Mother. Honor the Elders. Honor all with whom we share the Earth:- Four-leggeds, two-leggeds, winged ones, Swimmers, crawlers, plant and rock people. Walk in balance and beauty.<br /><br />Native American Elder<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation chooses two for council<br />Monday, November 7, 2011<br /><br /><br />Members of the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.mashantucket.com/"><u><span style="color: blue;">Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation</span></u><span style="color: blue;"></span></a> of Connecticut went to the polls on Sunday. <br /><br />Two newcomers won election to the council. Roy E. Colebut-Ingram and Steven E. Colebut will serve three year terms, starting on January 1. <br /><br />The race drew attention because two former chairmen -- Michael Thomas and Kenny Reels -- were running. Neither won enough votes to win a seat on the council. <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />James Ramos: A proud military tradition in Indian Country<br />Friday, November 4, 2011<br /><br />"Native Americans have a rich history of military service and have fought to protect our Nation, even as tribes were battling for their own freedoms and rights. Indeed, Native Americans fought as soldiers in the Civil War, World War I and other conflicts years before they were even granted U.S. citizenship in 1924. <br /><br />As a community, the San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians believe in and practice a tradition of service, sacrifice, leadership, and bravery. Our tribe’s leader Santos Manuel courageously led his fellow tribal members away from their mountain lands to settle in another portion of their aboriginal territories near present-day Highland in order to escape persecution and death in the 19th century. <br /><br />Riverside and San Bernardino counties are home to approximately 2,000 Native American veterans, and we are extremely proud of their service and the legacy they are building for future generations. In their honor, San Manuel is proud to participate in constructing a monument at the Riverside National Cemetery honoring the contributions of all Native American veterans and servicemen and women." <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />'Problem Indians' sent to Hiawatha Asylum <br />Friday, November 4, 2011<br /><br /><br />"In 1898, just eight years after the Wounded Knee Massacre, the U.S. Congress passed a bill that created a new federal facility: The Hiawatha Asylum for Insane Indians. Located in Canton, South Dakota, the Asylum would be the only federal mental institution in the United States created solely for the purpose of housing and treating American Indians who were purportedly mentally ill. <br /><br />The Hiawatha Asylum for Insane Indians stands out as a particularly ugly chapter in the history of offenses committed against American Indians. It’s been largely hidden from the public, and it’s seldom acknowledged, even in native circles. Still, records and eyewitness accounts of its existence persist. <br /><br />The asylum began receiving patients in 1903. Mr. Oscar S. Gifford, a U.S. Representative and a former mayor of Canton, became the first administrator of the asylum. He was not a licensed physician or psychiatrist. Amid rumors of patient mistreatment, Gifford was replaced by psychiatrist Harry Hummer in 1908. Hummer stayed on for twenty five years, although he was ultimately dismissed for malfeasance." <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Oh, Great Spirit<br /><br />Whose voice I hear in the winds, And whose breath gives life to all the world, hear me, I am small and weak, I need your strength and wisdom. Let me walk in beauty and make my eyes ever behold the red and purple sunset. <br /><br />Make my hands respect the things you have made and my ears sharp to hear your voice. Make me wise so that I may understand the things you have taught my people. Let me learn the lessons you have hidden in every leaf and rock. I seek strength, not to be greater than my brother, but to fight my greatest enemy - myself. <br /><br />Make me always ready to come to you with clean hands and straight eyes. So when life fades, as the fading sunset, my Spirit may come to you without shame.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />American Bar Association to honor Mary Smith, Cherokee<br />Friday, November 4, 2011<br /><br />Mary Smith, a member of the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.cherokee.org/"><u><span style="color: blue;">Cherokee Nation</span></u><span style="color: blue;"></span></a>, will receive the 2012 Spirit of Excellence Award from the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.abanow.org/"><u><span style="color: blue;">American Bar Association</span></u><span style="color: blue;"></span></a>. <br /><br />Smith was selected for her efforts to promote a more racially and ethnically diverse legal profession. She worked on Indian issues for the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.whitehouse.gov/"><u><span style="color: blue;">White House</span></u><span style="color: blue;"></span></a> during the Clinton administration and is the president-elect of the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.nativeamericanbar.org/"><u><span style="color: blue;">National Native American Bar Association</span></u><span style="color: blue;"></span></a>. <br /><br />"Mary was the highest-ranking Native American in the Clinton White House," Reginald M. Turner, the chairman of the ABA's Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Legal Profession, said in a <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.abanow.org/2011/11/aba-to-honor-national-native-american-bar-president-elect-mary-l-smith-for-promoting-diversity-in-law/"><u><span style="color: blue;">press release</span></u><span style="color: blue;"></span></a>. "During her time in the White House, Mary was the architect for a historic Native American policy initiative, which spanned areas such as health care, economic development, education, the digital divide and criminal justice issues. This initiative resulted in an increase in funding of $1.1 billion for Native American programs across all federal agencies." <br /><br />The award will be presented during the 2012 ABA Midyear Meeting, February 4, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana. <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Hold On<br /><br />Hold on to what is good, <br /><br />Even if it's a handful of earth.<br /><br />Hold on to what you believe, <br /><br />Even if it's a tree that stands by itself.<br /><br />Hold on to what you must do, <br /><br />Even if it's a long way from here.<br /><br />Hold on to your life, <br /><br />Even if it's easier to let go.<br /><br />Hold on to my hand, <br /><br />Even if someday I'll be gone away from you.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Eastern Shoshone man to reintroduce buffalo<br />Friday, November 4, 2011<br /><br />"A Montana State University graduate student who shares his father's dream for reintroducing buffalo to a Wyoming Indian reservation has received a national fellowship from the Environmental Protection Agency. <br /><br />Jason Baldes of Fort Washakie, Wyo., said the Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Graduate Fellowship will help him work toward bringing buffalo back to the Wind River Indian Reservation and promote both ecological and community health. Studying for his master's degree in land resources and environmental sciences (LRES), Baldes is the 11th MSU graduate student to receive the STAR award since 1995. His fellowship amounts to $87,000 over two years. <br /><br />"I was very surprised," Baldes said. "It's a ticket into accomplishing something we as a family have always really, really wanted.""<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Education is Key to Prosperity<br /></span></b>By Cheryl Crazy Bull <br /><br />November 2, 2011 <br /><br />Many people after watching the ABC<i> 20/20</i> special, "<a href="http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2011/10/abc-airs-documentary-about-pine-ridge-indian-country-tunes-in/"><u><span style="color: blue;">Hidden America: Children of the Plains</span></u><span style="color: blue;"></span></a>" may be asking, "What can be done to help?" The special depicted the daily lives of young people on the <a href="http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2011/10/pine-ridge-do-you-want-to-know-more/"><u><span style="color: blue;">Pine Ridge Reservation</span></u><span style="color: blue;"></span></a> in South Dakota, home of one of the poorest counties in the United States. Like ABC reporter Diane Sawyer inquired at the end of the special, you may also be wondering why American Indians even stay on their reservations.<br /><br />I am from the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota, neighbors by geography and tied by family and marriage to our relatives on the Pine Ridge Reservation. While my journey in higher education now finds me serving as president of <a href="http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/education/tribal-colleges/?page=2"><u><span style="color: blue;">Northwest Indian College</span></u><span style="color: blue;"></span></a> at the Lummi Nation in Washington State, I regularly travel back to my homeland and my family.<br /><br />The Lakota, Dakota and Nakota bands scattered throughout the Northern Plains and into Canada are bound together by our cultures, languages and our blood. We are one people, with shared languages, beliefs and relationships. We are unique in our understanding of how we came to be people. <i>Inyan</i>, the first creation, gives of its blood to create the sky and water and gives of itself to make the Earth, <i>Maka</i>. We emerge along with all of the other nations onto the Earth—to live with strength and generosity.<br /><br />Our way of life comes from creation and from the teachings of creation and cannot be turned away from or who we are as a people will be lost. Like many people who meet others with powerful military weapons and a strong sense of righteousness and determination, we were unprepared for the onslaught of European and East Coast settlers onto our homelands. Our people fought hard to keep our homelands and to save our way of life.<br /><br />While it is true that every <a href="http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/"><u><span style="color: blue;">Native American</span></u><span style="color: blue;"></span></a> is touched in some way by poverty and by the symptoms of poverty—addictions, <a href="http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/category/culture/health-wellness/health-issues/"><u><span style="color: blue;">health problems</span></u><span style="color: blue;"></span></a>, lack of access to <a href="http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/education/"><u><span style="color: blue;">education</span></u><span style="color: blue;"></span></a> and resources—every Native American is also touched by their spirituality and love of their homelands and their knowledge of what it means to be a tribal people. This knowledge is what binds us together as people who love and support one another. This knowledge is what gives us roots in our homelands and what keeps us in the place of our ancestors. This knowledge is what inspires hope and promise for our children today and for future generations.<br /><br />Education is a way for all Native people to prosper. <a href="http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/education/tribal-colleges/"><u><span style="color: blue;">Tribal colleges</span></u><span style="color: blue;"></span></a> and tribal schools are the contemporary places from which our cultures thrive and through which we adapt to modern life.<br /><br />At Northwest Indian College, for example, we address the unique circumstances of <a href="http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/category/education/student-spotlight/"><u><span style="color: blue;">Native American students</span></u><span style="color: blue;"></span></a> within the framework of an accredited, two-year and four-year college curriculum.<br /><br />We estimate that every student and graduate success impacts 35 other people. Our students serve as role models for their children, parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces, neighbors and friends. As a result, every college student changes the literacy and education level not only of the individual themselves, but of entire communities throughout the Northwest and our country.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Beverly Cook: The toxic effect of stress on American Indians<br />Thursday, November 3, 2011<br /><br /><br />"We know that acts of genocide were perpetrated on our people because we refused to be separated from our lands. Tremendous harm was done by those who would prevent us from speaking or learning our language; by those who would prevent us from practicing our ancient rituals, our healing and doctoring ceremonies, our celebrations, our condolences. The spiritual cloak that was our shield from unrelenting grief and loss from one generation to another was torn from us leaving us vulnerable to what science now calls "over-activation of our fight or flight response" and "toxic stress." Though we are now relatively free to practice our ancient ways, the trauma has not stopped and many of our people have drifted far from ceremonial circles. <br /><br />Our old ones passed down to us the stories of our beginnings. Our Creation story described where we came from, how we arrived here and gave instructions on how to conduct our ceremonies and be grateful. Our old grandmas and grandpas told stories that taught about life and the most important ones centered around the behavior and care of our children and pregnant women and the responsibilities of their partners. Nothing says that we can’t incorporate those teachings in health care and then remind our patients why it makes sense. (Remember some of our people had little exposure to the old ways.) <br /><br />Research is showing that stress and traumatic events experienced by an unborn baby in the womb through the mom and during early childhood can alter the genetic makeup of the fetus and child. <br /><br />These altered genes can have adverse impact on their health in the future. To start these babies may grow to be prone to depression and more reactive to stress or less stress resilient. <br /><br />Researchers are also finding that some of these altered genes are passed on to the next generation. In the past this mechanism was crucial for the survival of the species during times of extreme environmental changes on the planet." <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />A Pueblo Indian Prayer<br /><br />*Before our white brothers arrived to make us civilized men, <br /><br />we didn't have any kind of prison. Because of this, we had no delinquents. <br /><br />*Without a prison, there can be no delinquents. <br /><br />*We had no locks nor keys and therefore among us there were no thieves. <br /><br />*When someone was so poor that he couldn't afford a horse, a tent or a blanket, he would, in that case, receive it all as a gift. <br /><br />*We were too uncivilized to give great importance to private property. <br /><br />*We didn't know any kind of money and consequently, the value of a human being was not determined by his wealth. <br /><br />*We had no written laws laid down, no lawyers, no politicians, therefore we were not able to cheat and swindle one another. <br /><br />*We were really in bad shape before the white men arrived and I don't know how to explain how we were able to manage without these fundamental things that (so they tell us) are so necessary for a civilized society.<br /><br />John (Fire) Lame Deer<br /><br />Sioux Lakota - 1903-1976<br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />House rejects bid to protect Apache sacred sites from swap<br />Thursday, November 3, 2011<br /><br /><br />The <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.house.gov/"><u><span style="color: blue;">House</span></u><span style="color: blue;"></span></a> passed <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d112:H.R.1904:"><u><span style="color: blue;">H.R.1904</span></u><span style="color: blue;"></span></a>, the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act, last month after rejecting an amendment that would have protected Apache sacred sites. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://lujan.house.gov/"><u><span style="color: blue;">Rep. Ben Lujan</span></u><span style="color: blue;"></span></a> (D-New Mexico) offered the amendment. He noted that nearly every tribe in Arizona, along with major inter-tribal organizations, oppose the transfer of land sacred to the Apache people. <br /><br />"The federal lands which are proposed to be exchanged, generally known as Oak Flat, are part of the ancestral lands of the San Carlos Apache tribe and other tribes in the region," Lujan said during debate on the bill on October 26. "These lands have unique religious, traditional, and archaeological significance to many tribes in southern Arizona." <br /><br />The House, however, voted against the amendment. Some of the lawmakers who rejected it also received contributions from the mining industry, The New Mexico Independent reported. <br /><br />The bill authorizes a land swap within <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://fs.usda.gov/tonto"><u><span style="color: blue;">Tonto National Forest</span></u><span style="color: blue;"></span></a>. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.resolutioncopper.com/"><u><span style="color: blue;">Resolution Copper</span></u><span style="color: blue;"></span></a> plans to use the land for a copper mine. <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Crow Tribe brings in homes for families displaced by floods<br />Thursday, November 3, 2011<br /><br /><br />The <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.crowtribe.com/"><u><span style="color: blue;">Crow Tribe</span></u><span style="color: blue;"></span></a> of Montana handed out the keys for 17 trailers to individuals and families that lost their homes to major flooding on the reservation. <br /><br />The tribe was already working with the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.hud.gov/"><u><span style="color: blue;">Department of Housing and Urban Development</span></u><span style="color: blue;"></span></a> to bring the mobile homes to the reservation when the floods hit in May. The tribe reassessed its priorities and developed a policy to help those who were most affected by the disaster. <br /><br />"We're here to provide a service. We're here to give an opportunity and some hope to those people who felt hopeless," Chairman Cedric Black Eagle said as he handed the keys to the first family that received a home, The Billings Gazette reported. <br /><br />The tribe paid $130,000 to move the 17 trailers from Arkansas to Montana.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation racked $80M recognition debt<br />Thursday, November 3, 2011<br /><br />The Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation of Connecticut racked up $80 million in debt in its pursuit of federal recognition, Chairman James Cunha told The New London Day. <br /><br />The tribe, which was split into two factions, spent the money on genealogists, researchers, lawyers, lobbyists and developers. Some money is even owed to Donald Trump. <br /><br />"Everything's been settled, but we have huge bills for lawyers and outstanding payments to financial backers, Trump among them," Cunha told the paper. <br /><br />The tribe cited the debt figure in a petition to the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.bia.gov/"><u><span style="color: blue;">Bureau of Indian Affairs</span></u><span style="color: blue;"></span></a>. The petition asks the Obama administration to reconsider federal recognition for the tribe. <br /><br /><br /><br />The Bush administration granted, then later rescinded, the tribe's federal status. <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />PRAY FOR:<br /><br />Chief Strong Horse...health <br />Elder Tony Cricket...health <br />Elder Wendell Deer With Horns…Health and the best outcome for him with his job. <br />Elder Tom Flanders…Health and Recovery <br />Elaine… Grandfather owls wife...health and healing <br />Bob C....health and healing <br />Bobbie C...health and strength <br />Theresa...health and healing <br />Sarah Spirit...health, healing, wisdom and strength <br />Leonard Peltier...spiritual strength and health <br />Lora Lee…Health , strength and healing <br />Lynn from Oxford...health, healing and strength <br />Pray for all that are incarcerated that they find peace and a new way. <br />Pray for wisdom for our Spiritual Leaders so they can help others find their way <br />Pray for our troops fighting for our freedom <br />Pray for UTAN... to keep us strong and always together <br />Pray for all Clan Mothers and Chiefs...to show the right way and to lead with strength and wisdom <br />All our ancestors and relations <br />A 'home' for me and Tony....We are still looking and time is running out.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />What is life?<br /><br />It is the flash of a firefly in the night. It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime. It is the little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Crowfoot, Blackfoot warrior and orator 1830 - 1890<br /><br />President Obama: National Native American Heritage Month<br />Wednesday, November 2, 2011<br /><br />NATIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH, 2011 <br /><br />BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA <br /><br />A PROCLAMATION <br /><br />From the Aleutian Islands to the Florida Everglades, American Indians and Alaska Natives have contributed immensely to our country's heritage. During National Native American Heritage Month, we commemorate their enduring achievements and reaffirm the vital role American Indians and Alaska Natives play in enriching the character of our Nation. <br /><br />Native Americans stand among America's most distinguished authors, artists, scientists, and political leaders, and in their accomplishments, they have profoundly strengthened the legacy we will leave our children. So, too, have American Indians and Alaska Natives bravely fought to protect this legacy as members of our Armed Forces. As service members, they have shown exceptional valor and heroism on battlefields from the American Revolution to Iraq and Afghanistan. Native Americans have demonstrated time and again their commitment to advancing our common goals, and we honor their resolve in the face of years of marginalization and broken promises. My Administration recognizes the painful chapters in our shared history, and we are fully committed to moving forward with American Indians and Alaska Natives to build a better future together. <br /><br />To strengthen our economy and win the future for our children, my Administration is addressing problems that have burdened Native American communities for too long. We are working to bolster economic development, expand access to affordable health care, broaden post-secondary educational opportunities, and ensure public safety and tribal justice. In June, I signed an Executive Order establishing the White House Rural Council, to strengthen Federal engagement with tribal governments and promote economic prosperity in Indian Country and across rural America. This comes in conjunction with several settlements that will put more land into the hands of tribes and deliver long-awaited trust reform to Indian Country. <br /><br />To bring jobs and sustainable growth to tribal nations, my Administration is connecting tribal economies to the broader economy through transportation infrastructure and high-speed Internet, as well as by focusing on clean energy development on tribal lands. First Lady Michelle Obama's recently launched Let's Move! in Indian Country initiative will also redouble efforts to encourage healthy living for American Indians and Alaska Natives. These actions reflect my Administration's ongoing commitment to progress for Native Americans, which was reaffirmed last year when we announced our support for the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Through a comprehensive strategy where the Federal Government and tribal nations move forward as equal partners, we can bring real and lasting change to Indian Country. <br /><br />This month, we celebrate the rich heritage and myriad contributions of American Indians and Alaska Natives, and we rededicate ourselves to supporting tribal sovereignty, tribal self-determination, and prosperity for all Native Americans. We will seek to strengthen our nation-to-nation relationship by ensuring tribal nations have a voice in shaping national policies impacting tribal communities. We will continue this dialogue at the White House Tribal Nations Conference held in Washington, D.C. next month. As we confront the challenges currently facing our tribal communities and work to ensure American Indians and Alaska Natives have meaningful opportunities to pursue their dreams, we are forging a brighter future for the First Americans and all Americans. <br /><br />NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2011 as National Native American Heritage Month. I call upon all Americans to commemorate this month with appropriate programs and activities, and to celebrate November 25, 2011, as Native American Heritage Day. <br /><br />IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth. <br /><br />BARACK OBAMA<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />CONNECTING WITH OUR ANIMAL SPIRIT GUIDES <br /><br />Messenger.......Journey.......Shadows.......Lifetime <br /><br />EAGLE <br /><br />Eagle, Power Animal, Symbol of Spirit, Vision and Strength <br /><br />By Ina Woolcott <br /><br /><br /><br />Eagle's medicine includes swiftness, strength, courage, wisdom, keen sight, illumination of Spirit, healing, creation, knowledge of magic, ability to see hidden spiritual truths, rising above the material to see the spiritual, ability to see the overall pattern/big picture, connection to spirit guides and teachers and higher truths, great power and balance, dignity with grace, intuitive and creative spirit, respect for the boundaries of the regions, grace achieved through knowledge and hard work. <br /><br />Us earthbound humans have for time unknown been inspired by the sight of eagles soaring high in the sky. In ancient Greece the eagle was associated with Zeus, who sometimes shape shifted into one so he could hurl his thunderbolts. In some Native American belief systems the eagle symbolises the Thunderbird, also associated with thunder and lightning. The eagle is a sacred messenger, carrying our prayers on its wings to the Creator/All That Is/Spirit, and returning with gifts and visions for the people. Eagle feathers assist medicine people/shamans in connecting with Spirit for healing. They are deemed the most sacred healing tools, a symbol of power, healing and wisdom. The eagle is also linked to the sun in Gaelic lore, having been called in the Gaelic language Suil-na-Greine, Eye of the Sun. <br /><br />As well as its ties with the powerful energies of the sky, Eagle holds a deeper meaning. From eagle we learn that life looks different from an aerial perspective. We need to take a new view on the challenges in our lives. If we don't readily find solutions it may be because our vision is too limited to see the solutions that are so glaringly obvious. <br /><br />Tying in with this thread of thought, one of the lessons to be learned from eagle is not to depend exclusively on intellectual solutions. Through its connection to the air element, eagle is connected to intelligence, but also to Spirit, the knowing that goes far beyond intellect. <br /><br />Some of Eagles powers are independence, vision and strength. We can see why the eagle has been, and still is, revered. The eagles home is the freedom of the sky. He spends most of his time fearlessly flying high above, bridging heaven and earth, scanning below carefully. Their vision is 8 times stronger than humans, enabling them to see prey miles off. Weighing less than a domestic cat, Eagles strength has nothing to do with his size. Their feet and talons are stronger than a human hand, able to soar down with precision grabbing hold of their prey, mid-flight. <br /><br />Eagles beak is connected to his jaw and the strongest part of his body. It is designed for breaking and crushing. We are reminded to pay attention to our speech and how it affects others. What we say and tone of our voice should be examined. We mainly use our jaws for speaking. The lesson here is to control what we say, how much and when. Uncontrolled talk makes it easy to hurt someone verbally, to break or crush them with your words. <br /><br />The vision they posses helps us learn to take a step back and view the bigger picture. We need to view the past and the present objectively, whilst looking towards the future. We need to open our minds and hearts to see past old, restricting beliefs that are holding us back. Eagle teaches us to courageously face our fear of the unknown, so we are then able to fly as high as our heart's joy can take us. Your strengths need to be utilised wisely and remember, to soar like Eagle you must view things with caution, being confident and trusting your abilities. <br /><br />Eagle is also linked with courage. To give up our limited perspectives, to release ourselves from comfortable, familiar thought patterns, even when they don't appear to be working, and fly into a larger world requires that we are brave enough to enter unknown realms. This is further emphasised by Native American and Celtic tales, of shamans and druids who shapeshifted into eagles. <br /><br />Mental and emotional shapeshifting is sometimes necessary if we want to grow and learn. As with all things there are risks involved in allowing our beings to assume new forms, however the rewards are greater. Eagle asks us to recognise that the earth is not our only home, as well for us to join it in the flight to our true home - the world of Spirit. <br /><br />Eagles are majestic and bear a powerful presence. They can be social birds, but they do need isolation from human intrusion to breed in the wild. If a human comes to close or touches their nest, they are very likely to abandon it. Both the male and female eagles incubate the eggs and share the duties of raising their young. <br /><br />The eagle is an incredibly patient being, often perching in a tree, holding the same position for hours on end. Those with this power animal are shown how to master the art of patience in every area of their life. For within the energy of patience all things are possible. <br /><br />Eagle teaches us how to go through life without becoming attached to anything, how to accept what comes our way and see everything as a gift from the universe. With their acute hearing they hunt as much by ear as by sight. If eagle soars into your life, the ability to hear spiritually and psychically will awaken. <br /><br />Eagle reminds us to communicate with All That Is on a daily basis, so the gifts offered you can be utilised fully. Keeping this up removes judgement from our consciousness. When we cease to judge, we speak with encouragement and kindness towards others. Lessons that are linked with judgement are part of this medicine and sure to be coming your way. <br /><br />If Eagle is your power animal, you feel the need to have an involvement with creation, a willingness to experience extremes, a willingness to use your abilities, a willingness to seek out your true emotions. You must become much more than you ever imagined would be possible. <br /><br />Eagle symbolises a state of being that is reached through inner work, understanding and passing the initiation tests that come about from reclaiming our personal power. Eagle is the gift of clear vision with which one can truly see, to live in balance with heaven and Earth. Eagle shows you how to look above so you are able to touch Grandfather Sun with your heart, to love the Shadow as much as the Light. You are being asked to give yourself permission to be free in order to reach the joy that your heart longs for.<br /><br />SOURCE: <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.shamanicjourney.com/.../eagle-power-animal-symbol-of-spirit-vision-and-strength"><u><span style="color: blue;">www.shamanicjourney.com/.../eagle-power-animal-symbol-of-spirit-vision-and-strength</span></u><span style="color: blue;"></span></a><br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />RECIPES:<br /><br />*~~~~~*~~~~~<br /><br />Cornmeal Gravy <br /><br />Yield: 1 servings <br /><br />4 Pieces side meat Bread <br />2 1/2 c Milk Salt <br />1/2 c Cornmeal <br /><br />Fry meat to have enough grease to cover cornmeal. Add cornmeal and salt to taste. Brown meal in grease. Add milk; stir and let boil until thick. Serve over any bread. <br /><br />* * * *<br /><br />EAST CRANBERRY AND APPLE CAKE<br /><br />RECIPE INGREDIENTS <br /><br />12 ounces fresh cranberries, rinsed and picked over for stems <br />1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, and diced <br />1/2 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed <br />1 tablespoon grated orange zest (2 oranges) <br />1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice <br />11/8 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided <br />2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature <br />1 cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar <br />1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled <br />1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract <br />1/4 cup sour cream <br />1 cup all-purpose flour <br />1/4 teaspoon kosher salt <br /><br /><br /><br />DIRECTIONS Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.<br /><br />Combine the cranberries, apple, brown sugar, orange zest, orange juice, and 1 teaspoon of the cinnamon in a medium bowl. Set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the eggs on medium-high speed for 2 minutes. With the mixer on medium, add 1 cup of the granulated sugar, the butter, vanilla, and sour cream and beat just until combined. On low speed, slowly add the flour and salt.<br /><br />Pour the fruit mixture evenly into a 10-inch glass pie plate. Pour the batter over the fruit, covering it completely. Combine the remaining 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar and 1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon and sprinkle it over the batter. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean and the fruit is bubbling around the edges. Serve warm or at room temperature.<br /><br />(thanks Glenda)<br /><dir> <dir> <span style="font-family: Symbol;"> </span> * * *</dir> </dir> <br />Hopi Corn Stew <br /><br />1 c ground goat meat (or beef) <br />2 c green corn, cut from cobs <br />1 sm sweet green pepper, chopped <br />1 c summer squash, cubed <br />1 tb whole wheat flour Salt (to taste) <br /><br />Fry meat in a little fat (shortening or cooking oil) until brown. Add rest of ingredients (except flour) and cover with water. Simmer until vegetables are almost tender. Stir 2 tb cooking water with 1 tb whole wheat flour, return to cook pot, simmer five more minutes while stirring. Add blue corn meal dumplings if desired (recipe also on this website).<br /><br />* * * *<br /><br />Ojibwa Baked Pumpkin <br /><br />1 sm Pumpkin <br />1/4 c Apple cider <br />1/4 c Maple syrup <br />1/4 c Melted butter <br /><br />Place whole pumpkin in oven and bake at 350 degrees for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Cut hole off top and scoop out the pulp and seeds. Set seeds aside for later eating. Mix together remaining ingredients and pour into pumpkin and bake for 35 minutes. Cut into wedges and serve.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />It’s official, Baker wins Cherokee chief’s race <br /><br />12 October 2011 Cherokee Nation Communications Office <br /><br />TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Following a three-day counting process, the Cherokee Nation Election Commission has certified the results of the special election for Principal Chief. The official results show Bill John Baker of Tahlequah received nearly 54 percent of the votes and will become the next Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation.<br /><br />The official results, including all votes cast, show Baker receiving 10,703 votes to incumbent Chad Smith’s 9,128 votes. You may view the official results on the Cherokee Nation’s website at <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.cherokee.org"><u><span style="color: blue;">www.cherokee.org</span></u><span style="color: blue;"></span></a>.<br /><br />According to the tribe's election law, a request for a recount must be made by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19. The window closes at 5 p.m. on Oct. 24, to file an appeal to the Cherokee Nation Supreme Court challenging the validity of the election.<br /><br />Details for an inaugural ceremony to swear in Chief-Elect Baker have not yet been specified. Baker is a Tahlequah businessman who has served multiple terms as a representative on the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council. He holds degrees in Political Science and History in Education with minors in Sociology and Psychology. Baker and his wife Sherry have six children and nine grandchildren.<br /><br />Baker was re-elected to a six-year term on the Council in 2007 and his successful campaign for Principal Chief means that another special election will be held by the Nation to fill his District 1, Seat 1 office. District 1 represents Cherokee County and the eastern portion of Wagoner County. Timelines for that election will be announced soon by the Cherokee Nation Election Commission.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Former BIA officer gets 4 years for corruption <br /><br />09 November 2011 Associated Press <br /><br />GREAT FALLS, Mont. (AP) – A former Bureau of Indian Affairs officer on the Fort Peck Reservation who was convicted of stealing from the tribe's loan program has been sentenced to four years and three months in prison.<br /><br />U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon sentenced 63-year-old Florence White Eagle of Poplar on Monday and ordered her to pay $3,810 in restitution.<br /><br />Prosecutors say the former BIA superintendent took a $15,000 loan from the Fort Peck credit program while helping co-conspirator and former supervisory credit manager Toni Greybull suppress a complaint by Greybull's mother that fraudulent loans had been taken out in her name. Greybull died in 2008.<br /><br />White Eagle also was found guilty of facilitating the repayment of other fraudulent loans so earlier fraudulent loans would not be discovered. She is among several convicted in the scheme that ran from August 1999 through May 2009.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />The True Peace<br /><br />The first peace, which is the most important, is that which comes within the souls of people when they realize their relationship, their oneness, with the universe and all its powers, and when they realize that at the center of the universe dwells Wakan-Taka (the Great Spirit), and that this center is really everywhere, it is within each of us. <br /><br />This is the real peace, and the others are but reflections of this. The second peace is that which is made between two individuals, and the third is that which is made between two nations. But above all you should understand that there can never be peace between nations until there is known that true peace, which, as I have often said, is within the souls of men. <br /><br /><br /><br />Black Elk, Oglala Sioux &amp; Spiritual Leader (1863 - 1950)<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Leonard Peltier's<br /><br />2011 HOLIDAY GIFT DRIVE<br /><br /><br /><br />Children's Toys and Winter Clothing<br /><br />Please only send NEW items for children of ALL ages. Remember that our teens need some holiday cheer, too!<br /><br /><br /><br />NORTH DAKOTA<br /><br />Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, Belcourt, North Dakota (Leonard Peltier's Nation)<br /><br />TMBCI Holiday Gift Drive Attention Cindy Malaterre PO Box 900 Belcourt, ND 58316 <br /><br /><br /><br />SOUTH DAKOTA<br /><br />Oglala Sioux Nation, Pine Ridge, South Dakota <br /><br />Paul Waha Shields <br />PO Box 159 <br />Pine Ridge, SD 57770<br /><br /><br /><br />Peltier Network: Relief Services<br /><br />Year-Long Support<br /><br />Peltier College Scholarship (Cash Donations) and School Supplies (Paper, pens and pencils, binders, erasers, backpacks, etc.)<br /><br />Oglala Commemoration <br />1939 Wentzville Parkway #191 <br />Wentzville, MO 63385 <br /><br />oglala_commemoration@yahoo.com <br /><br />Thank You! We Wish You Many Blessings This Holiday Season and Throughout the New Year!<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Its time for me to cook so I guess I will say "See Ya soon". Have a peaceful holiday filled with love and warm blessings.<br /><br />Shiakoda Autumn Wolf Moon Q.Shiakoda Autumn Wolf Moon Q.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04821100742943607490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749857024160092168.post-64797146120936756252011-10-11T19:26:00.000-07:002011-10-11T19:26:27.231-07:00WOLF MOON newsletter October 2011<br /><br />*~~~~~ *~~~~~ *~~~~~ *~~~~~ *~~~~~ *~~~~~ *~~~~~<br /><br />Aquai everyone. I hope you all have recovered from Irene. I know some up this way are still working on making their homes livable again. This is one storm that won’t be forgotten soon.<br /><br />Anyhow, weather is changing, are you all ready? Are you taking advice from the animals? They started packing away their food early, I hope its not going to be a bad winter like last years. Way too much snow for this old lady!!!! I’m not as graceful as I use to be. :&gt;) Feet and legs not as agile as they once were. I’ll have to practice staying on my feet this year.<br /><br />October already….where did this year go? WHEW!! Anyway, enjoy.<br /><br />Shiakoda ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Smithsonian brings dolls made in 1901 to Coeur d'Alene Tribe<br /><br />Friday, September 30, 2011<br /><br />The Coeur d'Alene Tribe of Idaho welcomed home a set of 110-year-old dolls that were made for the Smithsonian Institution in 1901. <br /><br />Second Chief Peter Wildshoe commissioned a tribal member to make the two-foot-tall beaded dolls, which depict a man, woman and a child in traditional clothing. They are part of a new exhibit, "Sacred Encounters: Father De Smet and the Indians of the Rocky Mountain West," that just opened at the Old Mission State Park. <br /><br />"This is a good day," elder Felix Aripa, 88, told The Coeur d'Alene Press. <br /><br />"We're thrilled to have them back," added Ray Brinkman, the tribe's linguist. <br /><br />The exhibit features about 160 items that tell of the tribe's interaction with the Jesuits.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Derek Bailey, Grand Traverse Band chair, to run for Congress<br /><br />Friday, September 30, 2011<br /><br />Derek Bailey, the chairman of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, is running for Congress. <br /><br />Bailey is seeking the Democratic nod for Michigan's 1st Congressional District. He will make his formal announcement tomorrow. <br /><br />"In Congress we need vibrant, creative and strong leadership in advancing the needs of the citizens in northern Michigan," Bailey said in a statement to Up North Live. "We need to look at reigning in spending and reducing the nation's overwhelming pile of debt. We need to look at sensible tax policies that are balanced, fair and responsible, and that address needs of working people and not energy companies, which have seen record profits." <br /><br />If elected, Bailey will be the second Native American in Congress. The other is Rep. Tom Cole (R-Oklahoma), a member of the Chickasaw Nation. <br /><br />Bailey will be holding three events tomorrow in Escanaba, Sault Ste. Marie and Traverse City.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />USDA Blog: Rosebud Sioux Tribe still keeping traditions in mind<br /><br />Thursday, September 29, 2011<br /><br />"I had the honor and pleasure to tour the Rosebud Sioux Nation in South Dakota. The vast land of the Sicangu Lakota Oyate is rich in natural resources. <br /><br />Tribal leaders, with support from Sinte Gleska University, demonstrated interest and commitment in further planning and development of these resources in ways that continually improve quality of life, yet are respectful and mindful of their ancestral teachings and cultural traditions. <br /><br />At the Tribal Council meeting, dialog focused on underutilization of resources such as wind, timber, ranch land and the 27 center pivots owned by the Tribe. Also, issues such as the need for start-up capital, power purchase agreements, new genetics for the buffalo herds, production and marketing expertise, access for rural housing and infrastructure on the Reservation, including a new Tribal Council building, were discussed."<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Former residential school employee charged for abusing boys<br /><br />Thursday, September 29, 2011<br /><br />A former employee of a residential school in Saskatchewan has been charged with abusing boys as young as three years old. <br /><br />Paul Leroux, 70, was a a dormitory supervisor at the Beauval Indian Residential School. He faces 13 counts of indecent assault dating back to the 1960s. <br /><br />Leroux is due in court on October 19.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />GOP lawmaker apologizes for making remarks about 'aborigines'<br /><br />Wednesday, September 28, 2011 <br /><br />A top Republican lawmaker in Alabama apologized for making disparaging remarks about "aborigines" -- more than two months after the comments were aired at a federal corruption trial. <br /><br />Sen. Scott Beason (R), the chairman of the powerful Senate Rules Committee, wore a wire for the FBI. His remarks about the African-American patrons at a particular gaming facility were brought up when he testified in June. <br /><br />"That’s y’all’s Indians," one Republican said. <br /><br />"They’re aborigines, but they’re not Indians," Beason replied. <br /><br />At the time, Beason said he didn't know why he made that comment. He reiterated that defense yesterday but also apologized. <br /><br />"My purpose today is to say that I am very sorry and I apologize to anyone whose feelings were hurt by my comment," Beason said at a press conference, The Birmingham News reported. <br /><br />The trial came out of a anti-gaming crackdown by former governor Bob Riley (R). He shut down non-Indian operated facilities that were offering electronic bingo machines. <br /><br />Riley at one point threatened to go after the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Releasing buffalo back onto the land. The Buffalo Hump Sanctuary is a grassroots organization on the Pine Ridge Reservation based in the community of Slim Butte. The organization is focused on sustainable land-use through the restoration of the sacred tatanka oyate (Buffalo Nation) to Pine Ridge Reservation and the northern plains. <a href="http://villageearth.org/global-projects/pine-ridge-reservation/buffalo-hump-sanctuary"><u><span style="color: blue;">http://villageearth.org/global-projects/pine-ridge-reservation/buffalo-hump-sanctuary</span></u><span style="color: blue;"></span></a> <br /><br />— at Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota, USA <br /><br /><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;AR DECODE&quot;; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;AR DECODE&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"> <v:formulas> <v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"> <v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"> <v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"> <v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"> </v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:formulas> <v:path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"> <o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"> </o:lock></v:path></v:stroke></v:shapetype></span>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />The Skywalkers and September 11th <br /><br />It was a beautiful morning. Several Mohawk Ironworkers from the Akwasasne Reserve were already at work 50 stories above the streets of New York City. The first plane flew by closer than 100 feet to their crane. They watched as it crashed into one of the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers, only 10 blocks away. While on the phone with Ironworkers Local 440 at Akwasasne, the second plane struck. These men, with an almost eye-level view of the horror, were among the many ironworkers of American Indian descent working in New York and New Jersey that day. The "Skywalkers" rushed to the Towers their fathers, uncles, brothers, cousins and they, themselves had built. They assisted with evacuation, and searched the rumble for survivors. Many worked for months in the recovery efforts.<br /><br />The history of catastrophe among these men is long. The cemeteries at several reservations in the US and Canada are crowded with crosses made from steel and iron, the grave markers of fallen Skywalkers. The 1907 collapse of the Quebec Bridge is still referred to as the "Disaster." Of the ninety-six lives lost, 33 men were from the small Kahnawake (Caughnawaga) band of the Mohawks, the first Skywalkers.<br /><br />The Kahnawake Reserve, one of the oldest in Canada, began as a Catholic Mission populated in 1668 by Indians of the Iroquois Confederacy. Most were Mohawks from today’s western and northern New York State. The men of Kahnawake were skilled canoe freighters until the fur trade declined. Afterwards, many became renowned timber rafters, running huge lumber rafts over the Lachine Rapids near their home. The mission lands were converted in 1830 to a tax-free reservation by the Canadian government, however, the Band was able to maintain considerably more control than on other reservations.<br /><br />In 1886 Grand Trunk Railway contracted with Dominion Bridge Company to build a rail bridge over the St. Lawrence River. The Kahnawake men were originally hired as day laborers to unload stone for the bridge abutment on Reserve land. But the workers, and the young men and boys hung around the worksite, and were much more interested in what the steelworkers were doing. In a 1949 New Yorker article by Joseph Mitchell, a Dominion official states, "It was quite impossible to keep them off…These Indians were as agile as goats." About a dozen teenagers were hired to learn and work the iron spans. At this time, it was mostly sailors, experienced in working on tall ship masts, who worked the high structure of bridges. However, the young men of the Kahnawake were "natural-born bridge men."<br /><br />Dominion’s next bridge, connecting the twin cities of Sault St. Marie in Ontario and Michigan, turned into a trade school for the Kahnawake. Once an apprentice was trained and integrated into a work crew, another arrived from the Reserve. The training continued on each new project, and by 1907, there were over 70 experienced bridge men in this small Mohawk band. The challenge of the iron and to prove one’s courage did not wane for the men after the "Disaster." But the women did institute a new rule, limiting the number of work crews on each construction project. <br /><br />The Indian bridge men, known then as the "Fearless Wonders," ventured out across Canada, and made their way into the United States. They recruited from other Tribes, and worked on<br /><br />skyscrapers and bridges from the Empire State Building to the Golden Gate Bridge. A coveted workforce for their skill, experience, and workmanship, they kept their language alive on the job site and taught co-workers. They customized "sign language" into hand signals. This system of communication continues, and is a requirement of ironwork apprentice training. A retired ironworker, Orvis Diabo, was also interviewed in Mitchell’s article. Having worked in 17 states in the US, he said, "When they talk about the men that built this country, one of the men they mean is me." Native American Skywalkers were included in a famous photo taken during construction of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City in 1930. It shows two ironworkers straddling a girder and preparing for lunch. There is a white table cloth on the steel, and on either side, two other ironworkers dressed as waiters with serving trays. But American students of the 1940’s, 50’s, and 60’s saw this photo in a text book without knowing the Indian connection. <br /><br />It was a beautiful morning on September 11, 2011. Ironworker Steve Cross was no doubt proud of the progress on the new One World Trade Center. He worked on cellular towers for a while, but had returned to "skywalking" the tall buildings of America’s cities. In June, 2011 he commented in a Postmedia News article. "…on this job right now, there’s Mohawks all over…It’s a good feeling building this project. It’s a long time coming." The steel of America’s skyscrapers is as much a part of him as his Kahnawake Mohawk heritage.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Being temorary earth residents with a presecribed visitation time allotted to them, the Anasazi People perceived the planet throgh reverent and loving eyes. Therefore it was naturally inherent for them to pray for the continuance of earth's existence. They knew the earth would continue, but their prayers were directed for a peaceful and harmonious existence.<br /><br />MANY SUNS PRAYER (for the Earth Mother's future)<br /><br />Earth Spirit. Spirit of our Grandmothers. May you live in peace and harmony, And dwell in everyone's heart.<br /><br />Earth Spirit. Spirit of our Grandmother. May you live in youthful beauty, And receive respect and honor.<br /><br />Earth Spirit. Spirit of our Grandmother. May your sweet face remain unchanged through time, And all life give thanks for your being.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Suspect for triple homicide on Crow Reservation shows in court<br /><br />Friday, October 7, 2011<br /><br />The suspect in a triple homicide on the Crow Reservation in Montana made his first court appearance on Thursday. <br /><br />Sheldon Bernard Chase, 22, was arrested in Spokane, Washington. He faces extradition to Montana to answer to the murders of his grandmother, Gloria Sarah Goes Ahead Cummins; his 21-year-old cousin, Levon F. Driftwood; and her boyfriend, Rueben Charles Jefferson, 20. <br /><br />Chase is alleged to have taken a gun from his mother's home on the Fort Berthold Reservation in North Dakota on Monday. He allegedly showed up with the gun at his grandmother's house on Tuesday, when the shooting occurred. <br /><br />According to news reports, the three-year-old son of Driftwood and Jefferson witnessed the shooting and identified Chase as the perpetrator. Chase reportedly has a history of mental illness.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />FBI looking at police officer beating of man from Navajo Nation<br /><br />Wednesday, October 5, 2011<br /><br />The FBI is looking into the beating of a Navajo Nation man by a former police officer in Farmington, New Mexico. <br /><br />A spokesperson told The Farmington Daily Times that the FBI was looking into the March 17 incident in which Donovan Tanner, 22, was struck in the head and neck at least five times by former officer Dale Frazier. <br /><br />Frazier was fired from his job about a month later and Tanner filed a lawsuit that San Juan<br /><br />County settled for $250,000. <br /><br />The U.S. Attorney's Office in New Mexico would not confirm or deny an ongoing investigation.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />KIDS!!! And their thoughts on life<br /><br />1)NUDITY<br /><br />I was driving with my three young children one warm summer evening when a woman in the convertible ahead of us stood up and waved. She was stark naked! As I was reeling from the shock, I heard my 5-year-old shout from the back seat, 'Mom, that lady isn't wearing a seat belt!' <br /><br />2) OPINIONS<br /><br />On the first day of school, a first-grader handed his teacher a note from his mother. The note read, 'The opinions expressed by this child are not necessarily those of his parents.' <br /><br />3) KETCHUP<br /><br />A woman was trying hard to get the ketchup out of the jar.. During her struggle the phone rang so she asked her 4-year-old daughter to answer the phone. 'Mommy can't come to the phone to talk to you right now. She's hitting the bottle.' <br /><br />4) MORE NUDITY<br /><br />A little boy got lost at the YMCA and found himself in the women's locker room.... When he was spotted, the room burst into shrieks, with ladies grabbing towels and running for cover. The little boy watched in amazement and then asked, 'What's the matter, haven't you ever seen a little boy before?'<br /><br />5) POLICE # 1<br /><br />While taking a routine vandalism report at an elementary school, I was interrupted by a little girl about 6 years old. Looking up and down at my uniform, she asked, 'Are you a cop? Yes,' I answered and continued writing the report. My mother said if I ever needed help I should ask the police. Is that right?' 'Yes, that's right,' I told her. 'Well, then,' she said as she extended her foot toward me, 'would you please tie my shoe?' <br /><br />6) POLICE # 2<br /><br />It was the end of the day when I parked my police van in front of the station. As I gathered my equipment, my K-9 partner, Jake, was barking, and I saw a little boy staring in at me. 'Is that a dog you got back there?' he asked..<br /><br />'It sure is,' I replied.<br /><br />Puzzled, the boy looked at me and then towards the back of the van. Finally he said, 'What'd he do?'<br /><br />7) ELDERLY<br /><br />While working for an organization that delivers lunches to elderly shut-ins, I used to take my 4-year-old daughter on my afternoon rounds. She was unfailingly intrigued by the various appliances of old age, particularly the canes, walkers and wheelchairs. One day I found her staring at a pair of false teeth soaking in a glass. As I braced myself for the inevitable barrage of questions, she merely turned and whispered, 'The tooth fairy will never believe this!'<br /><br />8) DRESS-UP<br /><br />A little girl was watching her parents dress for a party. When she saw her dad donning his tuxedo, she warned, 'Daddy, you shouldn't wear that suit.'<br /><br />'And why not, darling?'<br /><br />'You know that it always gives you a headache the next morning...'<br /><br />9) DEATH<br /><br />While walking along the sidewalk in front of his church, our minister heard the intoning of a prayer that nearly made his collar wilt. Apparently, his 5-year-old son and his playmates had found a dead robin. Feeling that proper burial should be performed, they had secured a small box and cotton batting, then dug a hole and made ready for the disposal of the deceased.<br /><br />The minister's son was chosen to say the appropriate prayers and with sonorous dignity intoned his version of what he thought his father always said: 'Glory be unto the Father, and unto the Son, and into the hole he goes.' (I want this line used at my funeral!) <br /><br />10) SCHOOL<br /><br />A little girl had just finished her first week of school. 'I'm just wasting my time,' she said to her mother. 'I can't read, I can't write, and they won't let me talk!'<br /><br />11) BIBLE<br /><br />A little boy opened the big family Bible. He was fascinated as he fingered through the old pages. Suddenly, something fell out of the Bible... He picked up the object and looked at it. What he saw was an old leaf that had been pressed in between the pages.<br /><br />'Mama, look what I found,' the boy called out.<br /><br />'What have you got there, dear?'<br /><br />With astonishment in the young boy's voice, he answered, 'I think it's Adam's underwear!' <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />FUNNIES:<br /><br />Just thought I'd pass on some totally useless, yet amusing trivia about critters:<br /><br />A pig's orgasm lasts 30 minutes. (O.M.G.!!!) <br /><br />A cockroach will live nine days without its head before it starves to death. (Creepy. I'm still not over the pig.) <br /><br />The male praying mantis cannot copulate while its head is attached to its body. The female initiates sex by ripping the male's head off. (Honey, I'm home . What the...?) <br /><br />The flea can jump 350 times its body length. It's like a human jumping the length of a football field. (30 minutes. Lucky pig! Can you imagine?) <br /><br />The catfish has over 27,000 taste buds. (What could be so tasty on the bottom of a pond?) <br /><br />Some lions mate over 50 times a day. (I still can't believe that pig ...quality over quantity.) <br /><br />Butterflies taste with their feet. (Something I always wanted to know.) <br /><br />Elephants are the only animals that cannot jump. (Okay, so that would be a good thing.) <br /><br />A cat's urine glows under a black light. (I wonder how much the government paid to figure that out.) <br /><br />An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain. (I know some people like that.) <br /><br />Starfish have no brains. (I know some people like that, too.) <br /><br />Polar bears are left-handed. (Talk about a southpaw.) <br /><br />Humans and dolphins are the only species that have sex for pleasure. (What about that pig? Do the dolphins know about the pig?)<br /><br />*~ *~ *~ * ~ *~<br /><br />The Bottle of Wine <br /><br />Sally was driving home from one of her business trips in Northern Arizona when she saw an elderly Navajo woman walking on the side of the road. <br /><br />As the trip was a long and quiet one, she stopped the car and asked the Navajo woman if she would like a ride. With a silent nod of thanks, the woman got into the car. <br /><br />Resuming the journey, Sally tried in vain to make a bit of small talk with the Navajo woman. The old woman just sat silently, looking intently at everything she saw, studying every little detail, until she noticed a brown bag on the seat next to Sally. <br /><br />"What in bag?" asked the old woman. <br /><br />Sally looked down at the brown bag and said, "It's a bottle of wine. I got it for my husband." <br /><br />The Navajo woman was silent for another moment or two. Then speaking with the quiet wisdom of an elder, she said: <br /><br />"Good trade."<br /><br />*~ *~ *~ *~ *~<br /><br />The Blackfeet asked their Chief in autumn, if the winter was going to be cold or not. <br /><br />Not really knowing the answer, the chief replies that the winter was going to be cold and that the members of the village were to collect wood to be prepared.<br /><br />Being a good leader, he then went to the nearest phone booth and called the National Weather Service and asked, "Is this winter to be cold?" <br /><br />The man on the phone responded, "This winter was going to be quite cold indeed."<br /><br />So the Chief went back to speed up his people to collect even more wood to be prepared. A week later he called the National Weather Service again, "Is it going to be a very cold winter?"<br /><br />"Yes," the man replied, "its going to be a very cold winter."<br /><br />So the Chief goes back to his people and orders them to go and find every scrap of wood they can find. Two weeks later he calls the National Weather Service again and asks "Are you absolutely sure, that the winter is going to be very cold?"<br /><br />"Absolutely" the man replies, "the Blackfeet are collecting wood like crazy!"<br /><br />*~ *~ *~ *~ * ~<br /><span style="color: blue;"></span><br /><span style="color: blue;">Helena Montana, January 31, 1999 - <br /><br />In light of the rising frequency of human/grizzly bear conflicts, the Montana Department of Fish and Game is advising hikers, hunters, and fishermen to take extra precautions and keep alert for bears while in the field. <br /><br />"We advise that outdoorsmen should wear noisy little bells on their clothing so as not to startle bears that aren't expecting them," a spokesman said. <br /><br />"We also advise outdoorsmen to carry pepper spray with them in case of an encounter with a bear".<br /><br />It is also a good idea to watch out for fresh signs of bear activity. Outdoorsmen should recognize the difference between black bear and grizzly bear paw prints and scat.<br /><br />A grizzly's paw is larger and its claws are longer than that of a black bear. Black bear scat contains lots of berries and squirrel fur. Grizzly bear scat has little bells in it and smells like pepper.<br /></span><br />*~ *~ *~ *~ *~<br /><br />What did the Dine' lady say first time she went into Pizza Hut?<br /><br />"Who threw up on my fry bread?" <br /><br />*~ *~ *~ *~ *~<br /><br />An Apache guy, who had spent his whole life in the desert, goes to visit a friend who had moved to town. He'd never seen a train or the tracks they run on.<br /><br />While standing in the middle of the railroad tracks one day, he hears this whistle -- Whooee da Whoee! -- but doesn't know what it is.<br /><br />BAM!!, he's hit by the train and tossed to the side of the tracks. It was only a glancing blow, so he was lucky enough to live through it with a few broken bones and some bruises.<br /><br />After weeks in the hospital recovering, he's at his friend's house attending a party one evening. While in the kitchen, he suddenly hears the teapot whistling. He grabs a baseball bat from the nearby closet and proceeds to batter and bash the teapot into an unrecognizable lump of metal.<br /><br />His friend, hearing the noise, rushes into the kitchen, sees what's happened and asks the Apache guy, "Why'd you bust up my teapot?" The desert man replies, "Shii' kiis', you gotta kill these things when they're small."<br /><br />*~ *~ *~ *~ *~<br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span lang=""></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Did you know that vegetarian is an indigenous word? Translated it mean "Can't hunt"!<br /><br />*~ *~ *~ *~ *~<br /><br />What do Eskimos get from sitting on the ice too long?<br /><br />Polaroids.<br /><br />*~ *~ *~ *~ *~<br /><br />What do Eskimos get from rubbing noses too many times?<br /><br />Sniffilis.<br /><br />*~ *~ *~ *~ *~<br /><br />What do you call a boomerang that doesn't work?<br /><br />A stick. <br /><br />*~ *~ *~ *~ *~<br /><br />Remember, one cannot make footprints in the sands of time by sitting on their butt, <br /><br />and who wants to leave butt prints in the sands of time?</span></span><span lang="EN">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span lang=""></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Prayer to The Four Directions<br /><br />Chief Seattle<br /><br />Great Spirit of Light, come to me out of the East (red) with the power of the rising sun. Let there be light in my words, let there be light on my path that I walk. Let me remember always that you give the gift of a new day. And never let me be burdened with sorrow by not starting over again.<br /><br />Great Spirit of Love, come to me with the power of the North (white). Make me courageous when the cold wind falls upon me. Give me strength and endurance for everything that is harsh, everything that hurts, everything that makes me squint. Let me move through life ready to take what comes from the north.<br /><br />Great Life-Giving Spirit, I face the West (black), the direction of sundown. Let me remember everyday that the moment will come when my sun will go down. Never let me forget that I must fade into you. Give me a beautiful color, give me a great sky for setting, so that when it is my time to meet you, I can come with glory.<br /><br />Great Spirit of Creation, send me the warm and soothing winds from the South (yellow). Comfort me and caress me when I am tired and cold. Unfold me like the gentle breezes that unfold the leaves on the trees. As you give to all the earth your warm, moving wind, give to me, so that I may grow close to you in warmth. Man did not create the web of life, he is but a strand in it. Whatever man does to the web, he does to himself.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />IF YOU NEED TO LOWER YOUR CHOLESTEROL READ THIS INFORMATION<br /><br />Low Cholesterol Foods<br /><br />Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are foods low in cholesterol. While poultry and most fish also contain little cholesterol, you should limit the total amount to 5 ounces or less per day. Although<br /><br />incorporating such foods into your diet is good, you also need to look for foods low in saturated fat and trans fat.<br /><br />*Low Cholesterol Foods: An Overview<br /><br />If you walk down any aisle of a grocery store, you will see products labeled "no cholesterol" or "low cholesterol." What does this mean? In some respects, it is a marketing gimmick. In fact, stores could put a sign above the entire produce section that says, "Cholesterol Free" because cholesterol is only found in products that originate from animals (see High Cholesterol Foods). Plant-based products have no cholesterol.<br /><br />It's important to remember that eating low cholesterol foods is just one part of the equation. Saturated fat actually increases blood cholesterol more than cholesterol itself, and food with trans fatty acids (trans fat) can also increase blood cholesterol. So while looking for low cholesterol foods is important, you also need to look for foods that are low in saturated fat and trans fat.<br /><br />*Low Cholesterol Foods: Cholesterol Free Foods<br /><br />The ultimate "low cholesterol foods" are cholesterol free foods (food that comes from a plant). Foods that have no cholesterol and should be part of any low cholesterol diet include:<br /><br />•Fruits <br />•Vegetables <br />•Whole grains and legumes. <br /><br />As part of a cholesterol lowering diet, you should be eating at least 3 to 5 servings of fruits and vegetables and 6 to 11 servings of whole grains and legumes each day. Fruits and vegetables are low in saturated fat and total fat, and have no cholesterol. A diet high in fruit and vegetables may also help keep cholesterol levels low. So fruits and vegetables are great substitutes for foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol.<br /><br />Breads, cereals, rice, pasta, and other grains, and dry beans and peas are generally high in starch and fiber and low in saturated fat and calories. They also have no dietary cholesterol, except for some bakery breads and sweet bread products made with high-fat, high-cholesterol milk, butter, and eggs.<br /><br />Like fruits and vegetables, naturally low-fat, low-cholesterol breads and other foods in this group are also good choices as part of a low cholesterol diet. <br /><br />*Low Cholesterol Foods: Animal Products<br /><br />Any food that comes from an animal will have at least some cholesterol, but the amount of cholesterol in these foods varies, so there are animal-based low cholesterol foods. Let's look at low cholesterol foods by food group. <br /><br />*-Fish, Poultry, and Meat Substitutes as Low Cholesterol Foods <br /><br />Chicken and turkey are relatively low in saturated fat and cholesterol, especially when the skin is removed. Low cholesterol foods also include most fish. Fish also tend to be low in saturated fat. <br /><br />While some types of shellfish would be classified as low cholesterol foods, others would not. But shellfish do have little saturated fat and total fat. Even shrimp can be enjoyed occasionally on a heart healthy diet, provided you eat less than 300 milligrams of cholesterol a day. For example, 3 ounces of steamed shrimp has 167 milligrams of cholesterol. <br /><br />Remember: While fish and poultry may be considered low cholesterol foods, even the leanest meat, chicken, fish, and shellfish have saturated fat and cholesterol; limit the total amount you eat to 5 ounces or less per day. <br /><br />Dry peas and beans and tofu (bean curd) are great meat substitutes, as they are low cholesterol foods. Dry peas and beans also have a lot of fiber, which can help to lower blood cholesterol (see Cholesterol Lowering Food). <br /><br />Try adding a ½ cup of beans to pasta, soups, casseroles, and vegetable dishes. Tofu takes on the flavor of marinades well. Try marinating tofu in a nonfat dressing or a tangy sauce and grilling or baking for a heart healthy dish. <br /><br />*Eggs <br /><br />Egg yolks are high in dietary cholesterol -- each contains about 213 milligrams. You should consume no more than 4 yolks per week. This includes the egg yolks in baked goods and processed foods. Read food labels carefully to see how much cholesterol the food contains, or ask the bakery if the recipe uses whole eggs. You should reserve foods containing whole eggs for occasional treats. <br /><br />Egg whites have no cholesterol, and you can substitute them for whole eggs in recipes -- two egg whites are equal to one whole egg. You can also use cholesterol-free egg substitute in place of whole eggs -- in many baked goods, you can't tell the difference.<br /><br />*Low Cholesterol Foods in the Milk, Yogurt, and Cheese Groups <br /><br />Like high-fat meats, regular dairy foods that have fat -- such as whole and 2 percent milk, cheese, and ice cream -- are also high in saturated fat and cholesterol. However, dairy products are an important source of nutrients, and 2 to 3 servings per day are recommended. <br /><br />Low cholesterol foods in this group include: <br /><br />Fat-free or 1 percent milk. Fat-free and 1 percent milk are great low cholesterol foods because they have just as much or more calcium and other nutrients as whole milk with much less saturated fat and cholesterol. <br /><br />Low-fat or nonfat yogurt is an excellent source of protein and calcium. Eat low-fat or nonfat yogurt alone or as a topping or in recipes. Try topping it with fruit.<br /><br />Low-fat or nonfat sour cream or cream cheese blends. Many taste as rich as the real thing, but have less fat and calories. <br /><br />"Fat-free," "reduced fat," "low-fat," or "part skim" hard cheeses. Choose varieties that have 3 grams of fat or less per ounce. <br /><br />Low-fat (1 percent) or nonfat cottage cheese, farmer cheese, or part-skim or light ricotta. Some of these cheeses have 3 grams of fat or less per ounce. <br /><br />*Snacks <br /><br />Contrary to popular belief, not all snack foods are high in saturated fat and cholesterol. Snacks that would be considered low cholesterol foods include: <br /><br />Bread sticks ‘Bagels <br />Dried fruit <br />Low-fat or fat-free crackers (like rice cakes, melba toast, rye crisp, and soda crackers) <br />Ready-to-eat cereals without added sugar <br />Frozen grapes or banana slices or other fresh fruit <br />No-oil baked tortilla chips <br />Popcorn (air popped or "light") <br />Pretzels <br />Raw vegetables with nonfat or low-fat dip. <br /><br />*Sweets <br /><br />Sweets that would be considered low cholesterol foods include: <br />Fat-free or low-fat brownies, cakes, cheesecake, cupcakes, and pastries <br />Angel food cake topped with fruit puree or fresh fruit slices <br />Gelatin desserts (watch the whipped cream!) <br />Graham crackers <br />Fat-free or low-fat cookies, like animal crackers, devil's food cookies, fig and other fruit bars, ginger snaps, and vanilla or lemon wafers <br />Frozen low-fat or nonfat yogurt, fruit ices, ice milk, sherbet, and sorbet <br />Puddings made with 1 percent or fat-free milk. <br />While these treats may be low in cholesterol and fat, most are not low in calories. So choose them only every now and then, especially if you are trying to control your weight to improve your blood cholesterol levels.<br /><br />*Low Cholesterol Foods: Things to Remember<br /><br />Eating healthy is about choices. Fortunately, when it comes to low cholesterol foods, there are many choices. Understanding where cholesterol comes from and learning to read food labels are important steps when adding low cholesterol foods to your diet.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />Earth Teach Me to Remember by John Yellow Lark<br /><br />Earth teach me stillness as the grasses are stilled with light. <br />Earth teach me suffering as old stones suffer with memory. <br />Earth teach me humility as blossoms are humble with beginning. <br />Earth Teach me caring as the mother who secures her young. <br />Earth teach me courage as the tree which stands alone. <br />Earth teach me limitation as the ant which crawls on the ground. <br />Earth teach me freedom as the eagle which soars in the sky. <br />Earth teach me resignation as the leaves which die in the fall. <br />Earth teach me regeneration as the seed which rises in the spring. <br />Earth teach me to forget myself as melted snow forgets its life. <br />Earth teach me to remember kindness as dry fields weep in the rain.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />Live Your Life<br /><br />Tecumseh<br /><br />So live your life so the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their views, and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and of service to your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide. Always give a word or sign of salute when meeting or passing a stranger if in a lonely place. Show respect to all people, but grovel to none. When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life and strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies in yourself.<br /><br />Touch not the poisonous firewater that makes wise ones turn to fools and robs them of their visions.<br /><br />When your time comes to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song, and die like a hero going home.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />RECIPES:<br /><br />Winter Corn Chowder<br /><br />Yield: 1 pot<br /><br />1 1/2 c Dried corn 6 sl Bacon<br />4 c Milk 1/2 tsp Salt<br />3 c Broth 2 c Chopped onion<br />2 ts Sugar <br /><br />Rinse corn and combine with broth in saucepan; bring to boil. Remove toheat and allow to stand for 2 hours, then cook for 45 minutes. Cook bacon in skillet until crisp. Drain. Cook onion in drippings. Add to corn mixture and simmer 5 minutes. Add milk, sugar, and salt; sprinkle with bacon.<br /><br />~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~<br />Wild Sage Bread<br /><br />1 pkg dry yeast 1 tsp salt<br />1 c cottage cheese 1/4 tsp baking soda<br />2 egg 1/4 c lukewarm water<br />1 tb melted lard or shortening 2 1/2 c flour<br />1 tb sugar 8 tsp crushed dried wild sage <br /><br />Mix all dry ingredients together thoroughly. Dissolve yeast in lukewarm water. Beat together egg and cheese until smooth, add melte shortening and yeast. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, adding flour mixture slowly and beating vigorously after each addition until stiff dough is formed. Cover dough with cloth and let rise in a warm place for an hour or until double in bulk. Punch dough down, knead for one minute and put into buttered pan or casserole. Cover and let rise for 40 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes.<br /><br />Brush top with melted shortening and sprinkle with crushed, roasted pinon nuts or coarse salt.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></span><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN"></span></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN">$4M In Grants Aimed At Native American Education&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></b>Published: October 8, 2011, 11:06 AM<br /><br /><br />RAPID CITY, SD - South Dakota has received about $4 million in education grants this year to address the needs of Native American students. <br /><br />About $1.5 million was awarded this year to continue with the five-year College Access Challenge Grant. <br /><br />The state also received an annual $3.5 million grant for the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs. <br /><br />The two state initiatives have similar goals, including increasing high graduation rates among Native American students and encouraging them to attend post-secondary programs. <br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Letter from Russell</span></b>September 23, 2011 <br /><br /><br />Hello everyone:<br /><br />I want to thank you for your heartfelt love and for your extreme concern about my health. I never expected within my lifetime, I would experience such a world wide out pour of pure love. Believe me it goes a long way toward defeating this cancer.<br /><br />Robby Romero and co- producer camera man, Dave Schweitzer are doing a documentary retrospective of my life and this fight to defeat this cancer. Thanks to this documentary and their interviewing of my doctors, did I realize out how super serious my condition WAS. The doctor who is in charge of my tomo therapy is the only doctor in the united states of america that can directly program and apply this machine that can pin point and kill the cancer cells without damaging my good cells and other sensitive tissue in my body like the conventional radiation used by all other Oncologists in the united states.<br /><br />I found out that I was literally days away from the tumor in my throat closing my windpipe and forcing me to have a tracheotomy which would have begun my spiral down to death. The worst part would have been my deteriorating quality of life until I expired.<br /><br />Please understand, even the doctors with these alternative cancer treatments I am receiving at Sunridge Medical as well as the Tomo treatment credit Indian Medicines I have received from Mexico, Canada, the Lakotas and the Navajo that have brought me along and have given me the strength to defeat cancer. I also found out the cancer in my body is much more wide spread than I originally thought. Please try to understand the spiritual direction I received in ceremony(s) brought me to Sunridge and Dr. Grado the Tomo specialist. The Great Mystery works in wondrous ways.<br /><br />Pete Catches, a strong spiritual Oglala Medicine Man told us in AIM back in the 1970′s that there will be times when we have to use the white man to fight his diseases.<br /><br />It is nothing short of miraculous that we found the only two cancer treatments that can actually defeat this filthy disease. I credit the Great Mystery for leading us, Pearl and I.<br /><br />I also want everyone to know the wonder and the love from my wife Pearl. Without her strength love and dedication and her research on cancer, I would not be anywhere near I am today.<br /><br />I just received good news, the tumor in my throat has diminished significantly. I have my voice back and my ability to swallow is back up to around 90 percent (coming from about zero, for a while only water could get through). So please continue those prayers and that love coming my way because in the end you are all part of the Great Mystery. Love, your Brother Russ Means<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />PRAY FOR:<br /><br />Chief Strong Horse...health and strength<br />Elder Tony Cricket...health<br />Elder Wendell Deer With Horns…Health and the best outcome for him with his job. <br />Elder Tom Flanders…Health and Recovery&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />Elaine… Grandfather owls wife...health and healing&nbsp; <br />Bob C....health and healing <br />Bobbie C...health and strength&nbsp; <br />Theresa...health and healing&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />Sarah Spirit...health, healing, wisdom and strength&nbsp; <br />Leonard Peltier...spiritual strength and health&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />Lora Lee…Health , strength and healing<br />Lynn from Oxford...health, healing and strength<br />Pray for all that are incarcerated that they find peace and a new way.&nbsp; <br />Pray for wisdom for our Spiritual Leaders so they can help others find their way&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />Pray for our troops fighting for our freedom<br />Pray for UTAN... to keep us strong and always together<br />Pray for all Clan Mothers and Chiefs...to show the right way and to lead with strength and wisdom<br />All our ancestors and relations <br />A 'home' for me and Tony. We are having trouble finding a place to live.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />KITCHEN MEDICINE:<br /><br />Healing Herbs and How to Use Them in Your Cooking<br /><br />Lavender:<br /><br />Lavender can calm your nerves and help with insomnia. It's effective on bruises, insect bites, and is a disinfectant. The scent relaxes the body and mind so it's great to enjoy if your nerves are frazzled or you're having trouble getting to sleep. <br /><br />Fenugreek:<br /><br />Fenugreek is an herb that is commonly used in the Mediterranean region of the world. It's a good herb to reduce menstrual cramps, cholesterol, menopause symptoms, and help control diabetes.<br /><br />Mint:<br /><br />The strong aroma of mint is very effective at providing relief in respiratory disorders resulting from asthma and colds. Mint is also good for promoting digestion so it's ideal to eat before a meal. <br /><br />Turmeric:<br /><br />A study reported on the <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8328377.stm"><i><u><span style="color: blue;"><span lang="EN">BBC</span></span></u></i><u><span style="color: blue;"></span></u><span style="color: blue;"></span></a><span lang="EN"> found that turmeric kills cancer cells. Tests released by a team at the Cork Cancer Research Centre show </span><a href="http://planetgreen.discovery.com/food-health/tumeric-kills-cancer-recipes.html"><u><span style="color: blue;"><span lang="EN">turmeric can destroy gullet cancer cells</span></span></u><span style="color: blue;"></span></a><span lang="EN"> in the lab within 24 hours. That's no small deal. Now the question is, are you getting your fill? </span><br /><br />Cilantro:<br /><br />Cilantro is known for its ability to pull toxins from the body. Often times when you're doing a fast, you use cilantro atop your kitchari to remove pesticides and insectides from your system consumed from the non-organic foods that you eat. <br /><br />Parsley:<br /><br />Parsley is rich in vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. These components are good for controlling blood cholesterol levels and preventing constipation. It's also rich in antioxidants, specifically apiin, apigenin, crisoeriol, and luteolin. In fact, it's known for having some of the highest levels of antioxidants. <br /><br />Garlic:<br /><br />Studies have shown that garlic's powerful antioxidants are great for preventing damaging free radicals as well as protecting against heart disease. It's known to powerfully reduce high blood pressure as well. <br /><br />Ginger:<br /><br />Historically, ginger is known for being very effective for an upset stomach as well as nausea. Its antiviral components make it good for prevention and treatment of the common cold. <br /><br />Basil:<br /><br />Chefs the world over love basil and nutritionists agree. Basil is rich in flavonoids which prevent cell damage from both radiation and oxygen. Two of the main flavonoids are orientin and vicenin. Basil also provides vitamin K, iron, calcium, vitamin A, manganese, magnesium, vitamin C, and potassium.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Cowrie Shell Necklace (how to make)</span></b>Cowrie shells are both a beautiful and visually compelling choice of found object to use as a centerpiece in jewelry. While there are many ways to use cowrie shells in a necklace, most involve boring holes in the shell and thus are not practical techniques for a <a href="http://www.blogger.com/l"><u><span style="color: blue;"><span lang="EN">home</span></span></u><span style="color: blue;"></span></a><span lang="EN"> crafter. However, by taking advantage of a cowrie shell's natural shape, you can string it for a basic but elegant pendant necklace while leaving the shell whole.</span><br /><br />Difficulty: Moderate<br /><b><span style="font-size: large;"></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Instructions<br /></span>Things You'll Need<br /><dir> <dir></dir></dir></b><dir><dir>Hemp cord Cowrie shell <br />Scissors <br />Jump ring <br />Spacer beads <br />Metal jewelry clasp<br /><dir> <dir> <br />1 <br />Create a loop of hemp cord. Cut a short piece of cord (3 or 4 inches) and fold it in half. Tie a knot with the folded halves as if it were one piece of string, forming a closed loop between the folded end and the knot. Position the knot so that the resulting loop is the size you want to have hanging above the top of the cowrie shell. Trim away the excess cord below the knot.<br />2 <br />Fit the hemp loop into the cowrie shell. Find the point on the underside of the shell where the dividing space between the two halves is widest (usually this is close to the more pointed end of the shell). Stuff the knot into the shell at this point. You may need to push it in using the tip of a seam ripper or the head of a large needle. Tug the still-exposed loop of the cord up to the tight, closed end of the shell to secure it. The knot will prevent the hemp from slipping out of the shell.<br />3 <br />Thread a jump ring through the top of the hemp. Open a jump ring with needle-nosed pliers, loop it onto the hemp cord, then close the ring.<br />4 <br />Use your looped shell or shells in a beaded necklace design. Cut a length of beading floss to the length you want your finished necklace to be. Tie a knot at one end of the cord (leave about 1 1/2 inch extra length at the end), then fill half the length of the cord with spacer beads. Thread the cowrie shell pendant through its jump ring, then fill the rest of the cord with spacer beads, leaving an equal amount of extra space after the knot on the opposite end.<br />5 <br />Tie the metal clasp fittings onto the ends of the finished necklace.</dir> </dir> </dir> </dir> <br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />O Great Creator,<br />I come before you in a humble manner<br />and offer you this sacred pipe.<br />With tears in my eyes and an ancient song from my heart<br />I pray.<br /><br />To the four powers of Creation,<br />To the Grandfather Sun,<br />To the Grandmother Moon,<br />To the Mother Earth,<br /><br />And to my ancestors.<br /><br />I pray for my relations in Nature,<br />All those who walk, crawl, fly, and swim,<br />Seen and unseen,<br />To the good spirits that exist in every part of Creation.<br /><br />I ask that you bless our elders and children and families and friends,<br />And the brothers and sisters in prison.<br />I pray for the ones who are sick on drugs and alcohol<br />And for those homeless and forlorn.<br /><br />I also pray for peace among the four races of humankind.<br />May there be good health and healing for this Earth,<br /><br />May there be Beauty above me,<br />May there be Beauty below me,<br />May there be Beauty in me,<br />May there be Beauty around me.<br /><br />I ask that this world be filled with Peace, Love and Beauty. <br /><br />Aho<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />*CONNECTING WITH OUR ANIMAL<br /><br />SPIRIT GUIDES*<br /><br /><br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; *OWL*<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Messenger.....Journey.....Shadow.....Lifetime<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Wisdom, Intuition, Awareness,<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Clairvoyance, Inspiration, and Imagination<br /><br />The owl is the symbol of the feminine, the moon and the night.<br />The owl is the bird of magic and darkness, of prophecy and wisdom.<br />The owl is associated with Athena.<br />An owl totem gives you the power to extract secrets.<br />Meditate on the owl and things will be revealed.<br />Listen to its voice inside of you.<br />You will hear not what is being said by others, but what is hidden.<br />You can detect subtleties of voice that others cannot.<br />People cannot deceive a person who has an owl totem.<br />Owl people can see into the darkness of others souls.<br />Most owl people are clairvoyant because of this ability.<br />It can be very scary at times.<br />Learn to trust your instincts about people.<br />Let your owl totem guide you.<br /><br />*Snowy Owl*<br /><br />Conserve your energy until the time is right; be observant of your<br />surroundings.<br />Has the power of prophecy.<br /><br />*Barn Owl*<br /><br />This totem reflects the ability to the heart and the mind.<br />It can connect you to spirits and the houses that they haunt.<br />Mediums and "ghost hunters" often have this totem.<br />This totem can give you very strong clairvoyant abilities.<br /><br />*Barred or Spotted Owl*<br /><br />People with totem can appear threatening on the outside,<br />but are actually very benign.<br />This Owl can teach us how to use your voice to great effect.<br /><br />*Screech Owl*<br /><br />Very courageous and ferocious, this Owl teaches you how to be a fierce<br />individual<br />with an ability to cooperate with others.<br /><br />*Short-Eared Owl*<br /><br />This Owl gives you the ability to show up at the right place –<br />to take advantage of opportunity.<br />The Owl represents a blend of fire and air; they stir a passion for life<br />and fire the inspiration.<br />They awaken the imagination.<br /><br />*Great Horned Owl*<br /><br />This Owl is a fierce protector.<br />It is the lunar opposite of the Red-Tailed Hawk (who represents the Sun).<br />Gives the ability to adapt to constant changing environments.<br />The harbinger of Spring. Does not have a good sense of smell<br />and may impart this trait to its totem people.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Thats about it for this month.<br /><br />Stay healthy and safe. I'll be back again next month. November already!!! Where is time going to so fast?? No wonder I'm getting old so fast! See ya.<br /><br />Shiakoda Autumn Wolf Moon Q.<br /><br />(Sarah Spirit's Mom)Shiakoda Autumn Wolf Moon Q.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04821100742943607490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749857024160092168.post-38500406132393610262011-09-19T09:30:00.000-07:002011-09-19T09:30:48.727-07:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Boy am I late with this one!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Hurricane Irene really messed me up and I’m having a hard time getting back on an even keel!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">We were lucky other than not having power for a week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>All around us it was bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Where we are its nothing but trees which means lots of them down on power lines..nineteen telephone poles down, fourty roads closed due to trees crossing them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I count my blessings every day after what I saw on television the problems other towns in the state had.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Anyway, I am back on the level again. (I hope)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>:&gt;)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Other than the fact that it is getting cold way to fast and I am not ready for winter, things are looking pretty good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I hope you all weathered the storm okay.. my prayers go out to all of you that were affected by Irene.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Many Blessings,<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Shi<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">All offensive place names in Maine changed after lengthy effort<br />Tuesday, September 6, 2011<br /><br />The last six offensive place names in Maine have been changed. <o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">The last six names were in Aroostook County. Commissioners consulted tribes and came up with Scopan, Scopan Inlet, Scopan Knob, Scopan Lake, Scopan Mountain and Scopan Stream. <o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">The new names incorporate “sco” to replace the letters “squa,” a homonym of “squaw” that roughly translates to “whore” in the native dialects of Maine’s Native American tribes.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">It was a long time coming,” John Dieffenbacher-Krall, the executive director of the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.mitsc.org/"><span style="color: blue;">Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission</span></a>, told The Bangor Daily News. “I think that reflects the relative importance — or lack of importance — non-natives put on issues concerning [native] people.” <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">The effort began in 2000 with a bill to require the state to change all offensive place names. The <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://geonames.usgs.gov/"><span style="color: blue;">U.S. Board on Geographic Names</span></a> has approved all of the changes. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Tribute to Ralph Sawmick of Saginaw Chippewa Tribe<br />Monday, September 5, 2011<br /><br />"His peers credit him for his critical role in the development of the modern-day Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police Department and for facilitating a high level of cooperation with the other area police agencies. <o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Retired Tribal Police Captain Ralph Sawmick, who died Aug. 20, left an indelible impact on his fellow police administrators. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">“He has not been given the credit he deserves,” said retired Mt. Pleasant Police Chief Martin Trombley following Sawmick’s recent memorial service. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Sawmick began his law enforcement career in 1976 as the second ever Tribal cop in a one-room office at the east end of the Tribal Operations building. After certification he went on to captain the department for 22 years, retiring due to ill health in 2000 shortly after the new tribal police and court facility was officially completed. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">“His whole heart was into bettering the legal protection of Tribal members,” said former Tribal Judge Doug Gurski, now of Portland. “He wanted their respect, and he gave respect. That is what he was all about in a nutshell.”" <o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Deadline approaching for residential school settlement payout<br />Monday, September 5, 2011<br /><br />Former residential school students have until September 19 to apply for a share in the $1.9 billion settlement in Canada. <o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">As part of the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/goc/cep/index.shtml"><span style="color: blue;">Common Experience Payment</span></a>, every student will receive $10,000 for their first year of attendance. An additional $3,000 will be provided for any additional years. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">So far, about 70,000 people have applied for a payment. Outreach workers are looking for more former students as the deadline approaches. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Former students can also seek additional money for sexual, physical and other abuse under the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/ai/rqpi/inasspr/index-eng.asp"><span style="color: blue;">Independent Assessment Process</span></a>. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Major pot farm discovered inside Bandelier National Monument<br />Friday, September 2, 2011<br /><br />The Los Conchas Fire wreaked havoc on at least three reservations in New Mexico this summer but it spared a major marijuana farm inside <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.nps.gov/band/index.htm"><span style="color: blue;">Bandelier National Monument</span></a>. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">In the wake of the fire, agents discovered 5,000 pot plants inside the national park. Although drug cartels have used federal land in other parts of the country to grow marijuana, this is the first incident of its kind in New Mexico. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Agents removed the plants yesterday, took them to an undisclosed location and burned them. The drugs were valued at $5 million. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Mohegan Tribe opens gas station just for employees of casino<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>September 2, 2011 <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">The Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut opened a gas station solely for employees of its casino. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Mohegan Sun employees pay $3.69 a gallon, medium grade for $3.73, super for $3.82 and diesel for $3.91. That's lower than prices in the area, The New London Day reported. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">"This is another way to add to the benefits for our employees," Jeffrey Hartmann, the casino's chief executive officer told the paper. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">The gas station is located on land in the town of Montville. It is not held in trust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">BLOOD QUANTUM<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Blood quantum a dead end for tribal enrollment<br />Thursday, September 1, 2011<br /><br />"What does it mean to be an American Indian? For some, the answer is simple: one is American Indian if they possess a specific degree of Indian blood. This standard definition originates in the federal government’s enactment of blood quantum law. Under the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, the U.S. government used blood quantum, the degree of Indian blood a given individual possessed, to establish not only who was American Indian, but who was eligible for benefits under treaty law. Since then, Tribes have modified rules of membership under their inherent powers as sovereign nations. While degree of blood required for enrollment by Tribe may vary, the majority of Tribes still adhere to some form of blood quantum law. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">In order for the standard ‘blood quantum law’ definition of who is American Indian to hold up, one must accept that identifying as an American Indian is based on blood as it pertains to race. Here, the ‘blood quantum law’ characterization of who is American Indian falls apart, because it is possible for one to be American Indian by blood and race, but not be a Tribal member, and therefore not be legally recognized as an American Indian. By definition, only federally recognized Tribes are legally recognized by the federal government; consequently, one who is not a member of a federally recognized Tribe, despite bona fide native ancestry, may not necessarily be defined as American Indian by the federal government. Furthermore, blood quantum law used in the determination of membership in federally-recognized Tribes has been defined by the U.S. Supreme Court as a political classification, not a racial one." <o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">HISTORY and TODAY<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Wednesday, August 31, 2011<br /><br />"United States history classes may teach the injustices brought upon Native Americans by Europeans hundreds of years ago, but most do not take the initiative to find out how those acts are still largely affecting Native Americans today. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Native Americans living on American Indian reservations experience some of the highest rates of poverty, unemployment, disease, teen pregnancy and the worst housing conditions in our nation. Poverty is a recurring problem for Native Americans, but especially for those living on Native American lands. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">An Indian reservation is an area of land managed by a Native American tribe under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs. Although the federal government recognizes more than 550 tribes in the country, there are only 326 Indian reservations. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Federal officials said violent crime rates on reservations are more than twice the national rate and epidemics of domestic and sexual violence exist, along with high instances of child abuse, teen suicide and substance abuse. There is also a proliferation of gang activity on reservations, yet law enforcement recruitment and retention across reservations lag far behind the rest of the nation." <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">BIA to reconsider Stockbridge-Munsee off-reservation casino<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>September 5, 2011 <o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">The Obama administration will reconsider an off-reservation casino for the Stockbridge Munsee Band of Mohican Indians, The Albany Times-Union reports. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">The tribe, based in Wisconsin, wants to build a casino in the Catskills region of New York. The Bush administration rejected the proposal in 2008. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">But now that Assistant Secretary Larry Echo Hawk has rescinded a policy that restricted off-reservation gaming, the Bureau of Indian Affairs is taking another look at the proposal. Local leaders and politicians from New York support gaming in the Catskills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Senate Indian Affairs Committee to talk housing, infrastructure<br />Friday, September 2, 2011<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://indian.senate.gov/"><span style="color: blue;">Senate Indian Affairs Committee</span></a> will hold an event next Thursday, September 8, to discuss housing and infrastructure in Indian Country. <o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Loretta A. Tuell, the Majority Staff Director/Chief Counsel of the committee, will lead the session. It will take place at 1pm in Room 628 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">RSVP is requested at Christiane Cardoza at 202-224-2251, or by email at roundtable@indian.senate.gov <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Joe Sando, historian from Jemez Pueblo, passes on at age 88<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Wednesday, September 14, 2011<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Joe Sando, an author, educator and historian from Jemez Pueblo in New Mexico, died on Tuesday. He was 88. <o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Sando was born and raised on the reservation. He left to attend Santa Fe Indian School, where he learned English. <o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Sando enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served during World War II. Following his return to the U.S., he earned degrees from Eastern New Mexico University and Vanderbilt University and embarked on a lifelong mission to educate the world about his tribe and the Pueblo people. <o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">“Mr. Sando knew people from every one of the pueblos. He would ask who you were, who your parents were, who your grandparents were and inevitably he could tie back to someone he knew from the pueblo,” Lela Kaskalla, the president of the board of directors at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, told The Albuquerque Journal. “An individual like Mr. Sando is so rare. You meet a handful of them in your lifetime. He was the life in the Institute for Pueblo Indian Studies. He believed in it; he wanted us to tell our own story.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Sando went on to author numerous books about Pueblo government, history and culture. He frequently examined tribal relations with Spain, Mexico and the U.S. <o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">“His vision, his wisdom, and his knowledge that he drew from his love of reading and writing our history, provided the message that we – meaning all of us from all walks of life – can understand and enjoy how in the end we’re all part of the same family,” Regis Pecos of Cochiti Pueblo told the Journal. “He was one of the greatest ambassadors of our people to the world.” <o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div style="border-color: currentColor currentColor windowtext; border-style: none none dashed; border-width: medium medium 1pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: dashed windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-border-bottom-alt: dashed windowtext .75pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Funeral services will be held this coming Monday at the National Cemetery in Santa Fe.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-border-bottom-alt: dashed windowtext .75pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-border-bottom-alt: dashed windowtext .75pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">When it comes time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song, and die like a hero going home.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-border-bottom-alt: dashed windowtext .75pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Chief Aupumut – Mohican<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-border-bottom-alt: dashed windowtext .75pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none; padding: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-border-bottom-alt: dashed windowtext .75pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none; padding: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">THOUGHT FOR THE DAY</span></b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><br /><br />Have you ever wondered if the dollar bills in your purse or wallet were ever in a stripper's butt crack? <o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-border-bottom-alt: dashed windowtext .75pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none; padding: 0in;">If not, you're wondering now. Have a nice day! </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-border-bottom-alt: dashed windowtext .75pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none; padding: 0in;"><br /></div><o:p><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Always remember to wash your hands after handling money!</span></b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">That's my public service announcement for the day.</span></b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"> <b>Thank you very much</b></span><br /></o:p></span> </div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">FUNNIES:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>A tough looking group of bikers were riding when they saw a girl about to jump off a bridge, so they stopped. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">The leader, a big burly man, gets off his bike and says, "What are you doing?" "I'm going to commit suicide," she says. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">While he did not want to appear insensitive, he didn't want to miss an opportunity so he asked... "Well, before you jump, why don't you give me a kiss?" <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">So she does... And it was a long, deep, lingering kiss. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">After she's finished, the biker says, "Wow! That was the best kiss I have ever had! That's a real talent you are wasting. You could be famous. Why are you committing suicide?" <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">"My parents don't like me dressing up like a girl........"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">~<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>~<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>~<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>~<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>~<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Sometimes, when I look at my children, I say to myself, 'Lillian, you should have remained a virgin..'<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Lillian Carter (mother of Jimmy Carter)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">&lt;&gt;&lt;&gt;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">I had a rose named after me and I was very flattered. But I was not pleased to read the description in the catalogue: - 'No good in a bed, but fine against a wall.'<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">- Eleanor Roosevelt<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">&lt;&gt;&lt;&gt; <o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">- Mark Twain<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">&lt;&gt;&lt;&gt;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">My wife has a slight impediment in her speech. Every now and then she stops to breathe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">- Jimmy Durante<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">&lt;&gt;&lt;&gt;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar, and fat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">- Alex Levine<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">&lt;&gt;&lt;&gt;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">My luck is so bad that if I bought a cemetery, people would stop dying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">- Rodney Dangerfield<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">&lt;&gt;&lt;&gt;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Until I was thirteen, I thought my name was SHUT UP .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">- Joe Namath<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">&lt;&gt;&lt;&gt;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">I don't feel old. I don't feel anything until noon. Then it's time for my nap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">- Bob Hope<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">&lt;&gt;&lt;&gt;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">I never drink water because of the disgusting things that fish do in it..<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">- W. C. Fields<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">&lt;&gt;&lt;&gt;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">We could certainly slow the aging process down if it had to work its way through Congress. <o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">- Will Rogers <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">&lt;&gt;&lt;&gt;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Don't worry about avoiding temptation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>As you grow older, it will avoid you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">- Winston Churchill<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">&lt;&gt;&lt;&gt;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Maybe it's true that life begins at fifty .. But everything else starts to wear out, fall out, or spread out..<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">- Phyllis Diller<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">&lt;&gt;&lt;&gt;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">By the time a man is wise enough to watch his step, he's too old to go anywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">- Billy Crystal<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">&lt;&gt;&lt;&gt;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">And the cardiologist's diet: -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>If it tastes good, spit it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">~<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>~<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>~<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>~ <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">To all the girls who are in a hurry to have a boyfriend or get married, a piece of Biblical advice: <o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Ruth patiently waited for her mate Boaz." <o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">While you are waiting on YOUR Boaz, don't settle for any of his relatives; <o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Broke-az, </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Po-az,<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Lyin-az, <o:p></o:p></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Cheatin-az, <o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Dumb-az, <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Drunk-az, <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Cheap-az, <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Lockedup-az, <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Goodfornothin-az, <o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Lazy-az, and especially his third cousin<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Beatinyo-az. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Wait on your Boaz and make sure he respects Yoaz.... Share this if it made you Smile...<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">~<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>~<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>~<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>~<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">A 50ish woman is home, NAKED, happily jumping on her bed &amp; squealing with delight. Husband watches &amp; asks "Do u have any idea how ridiculous u look? What's the matter with u?" The woman continues to bounce on the bed &amp; says, "I don't care what u think. I just had a mammogram, &amp; the doctor says that not only am I healthy, but I have the breasts of an 18 year old." The husband replies, "What did he say about your 55-year-old ass?" " YOUR name never came up," she replied<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">~<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>~<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>~<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>~<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I have a stalker named Bill! You know who you are! I absolutely hate YOU! He keeps hanging around my house despite my best efforts to be rid of him. I think he likes me! And when I finally get rid of him, he keeps coming back. I think he loves me! He comes in many forms...telephone bill, cable bill, electric bill &amp; gas bill, heating bill, and so on... If u drive by my house and see him feel free to shoot his ass on site! Re-post if Bill haunts you too..<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">~<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>~<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>~<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>~<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Friends are like underwear. Some crawl up your ass, some snap under pressure, some don't have the strength to hold you up, some get a little twisted, some are your favorite, some are holy, some are cheap and just plain nasty and some actually cover your ass when you need them to. <o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">~<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>~<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>~<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>~<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">One morning, a grandmother was surprised to find that her 7-year-old grandson had made her coffee! Smiling, she choked down the worst cup of her life. When she finished, she found three little green Army men at the bottom. Puzzled, she asked, "Honey, what are these Army men doing in my coffee?" Her grandson answered, "Like it says on TV, Grandma. 'The best part of waking up is soldiers in you're cup" <o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></span></div><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Remember.....</span></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The moment you give up, is the moment you let someone else win.... <o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Like someone I know says " Life is tough...get a helmet!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></span></div><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">RECIPES<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><i><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Mashed squash (serves 4)</span></i><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 47.95pt 95.9pt 143.85pt 191.8pt 239.75pt 287.7pt 335.65pt 383.6pt 431.55pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>1 1/2 lbs butternut squash<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 47.95pt 95.9pt 143.85pt 191.8pt 239.75pt 287.7pt 335.65pt 383.6pt 431.55pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>1/4 tsp mace<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 47.95pt 95.9pt 143.85pt 191.8pt 239.75pt 287.7pt 335.65pt 383.6pt 431.55pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>1/4 tsp allspice<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 47.95pt 95.9pt 143.85pt 191.8pt 239.75pt 287.7pt 335.65pt 383.6pt 431.55pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>1 tsp ground cardamom<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 47.95pt 95.9pt 143.85pt 191.8pt 239.75pt 287.7pt 335.65pt 383.6pt 431.55pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>1 tablespoon maple syrup<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 47.95pt 95.9pt 143.85pt 191.8pt 239.75pt 287.7pt 335.65pt 383.6pt 431.55pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>1/2 tsp salt<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 47.95pt 95.9pt 143.85pt 191.8pt 239.75pt 287.7pt 335.65pt 383.6pt 431.55pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>2 tsp melted butter<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Cut squash in half, scrape out seeds and fiber. Chunk in 2" pieces. Boil or steam (steaming preserves its high amounts of vitamin C and A better) 20 minutes (boil) or 30 (steam) until tender. Cool slightly, and slip skin off pieces. Spoon flesh into blender, add remaining ingredients and process till smooth. Goes well with roast birds. NOTE: I like to put a lot of coarse, fresh-ground black pepper into mine.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">~<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>~<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>~<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>~<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><i><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Indian cornmeal pudding</span></i><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"> serves 4-6<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">There must be several hundred recipes for this. East coast tribal people taught settlers how to make it. Settlers sometimes calld it "Hasty pudding" kind of a joke, because the stone-ground cornmeal required many hours of baking. This recipe adds a small amount of soy grits -- precooked soy beans ground up to a fine quick-cooking meal. Through protein complementarity, that greatly increases the availability of proteins in this dessert. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 47.95pt 95.9pt 143.85pt 191.8pt 239.75pt 287.7pt 335.65pt 383.6pt 431.55pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>4 cups milk<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 47.95pt 95.9pt 143.85pt 191.8pt 239.75pt 287.7pt 335.65pt 383.6pt 431.55pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>1 cup yellow cornmeal<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 47.95pt 95.9pt 143.85pt 191.8pt 239.75pt 287.7pt 335.65pt 383.6pt 431.55pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>1/4 cup soy grits soaked in 1/2 cup water<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 47.95pt 95.9pt 143.85pt 191.8pt 239.75pt 287.7pt 335.65pt 383.6pt 431.55pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;; font-size: 10pt;">1/3 cup butter<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 47.95pt 95.9pt 143.85pt 191.8pt 239.75pt 287.7pt 335.65pt 383.6pt 431.55pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>1/2 cup brown sugar<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 47.95pt 95.9pt 143.85pt 191.8pt 239.75pt 287.7pt 335.65pt 383.6pt 431.55pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>2/3 cup light molasses<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 47.95pt 95.9pt 143.85pt 191.8pt 239.75pt 287.7pt 335.65pt 383.6pt 431.55pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>3/4 tsp salt<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 47.95pt 95.9pt 143.85pt 191.8pt 239.75pt 287.7pt 335.65pt 383.6pt 431.55pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>1/2 tsp cinnamon<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 47.95pt 95.9pt 143.85pt 191.8pt 239.75pt 287.7pt 335.65pt 383.6pt 431.55pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>1/4 tsp cloves<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 47.95pt 95.9pt 143.85pt 191.8pt 239.75pt 287.7pt 335.65pt 383.6pt 431.55pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>1/4 tsp ginger<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 47.95pt 95.9pt 143.85pt 191.8pt 239.75pt 287.7pt 335.65pt 383.6pt 431.55pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>1/8 tsp allspice<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 47.95pt 95.9pt 143.85pt 191.8pt 239.75pt 287.7pt 335.65pt 383.6pt 431.55pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>1/8 tsp nutmeg<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 47.95pt 95.9pt 143.85pt 191.8pt 239.75pt 287.7pt 335.65pt 383.6pt 431.55pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>1/2 cup fine-chopped dried apples (optional)<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in 47.95pt 95.9pt 143.85pt 191.8pt 239.75pt 287.7pt 335.65pt 383.6pt 431.55pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>2 eggs<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">In a big pan, bring the milk to a boil, then add the cornmeal and soy grits gradually stirring rapidly to keep lumps from forming. Lower heat and beat vigorously until it starts to get thick (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat. Add butter, sugar, molasses (can use maple syrup) and spices, let cool somewhat. Stir in 2 beaten eggs. Pour into buttered baking dish, bake 50-60 minutes at 325°, until pudding is firm. Serve warm with cream, vanilla icecream, or plain yoghurt.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">If soy grits is used: one serving is about 30% of a day's protein requirement. Some kinds of cornmeal (stone ground) have more protein and other minerals and vitamins, though it depends on where/how it was grown.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="">PRAY FOR:<br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"> </div>Chief Strong Horse...health<br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"> Tony Cricket...health</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"> Bob C...health and healing</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"> Bobbie C...health and strength</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"> Sarah Spirit...health, healing, wisdom and strength</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"> Leonard Peltier...health and spiritual strength</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"> Lora Lee...health and healing</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"> </div>Pray for all that are incarcerated that they find peace and a new way. <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"> Pray for wisdom for our Spiritual Leaders so they can help others find their way </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"> Pray for our troops fighting for our freedom </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"> Pray for UTAN... to keep us strong and always together </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"> Pray for all Clan Mothers and Chiefs...to show the right way and to lead with strength and wisdom </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;">All our ancestors and relations</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"></div></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 18pt;">WISDOM:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 18pt;">The True Peace<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">The first peace, which is the most important, is that which comes within the souls of people when they realize their relationship, their oneness, with the universe and all its powers, and when they realize that at the center of the universe dwells Wakan-Taka (the Great Spirit), and that this center is really everywhere, it is within each of us.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">This is the real peace, and the others are but reflections of this. The second peace is that which is made between two individuals, and the third is that which is made between two nations. But above all you should understand that there can never be peace between nations until there is known that true peace, which, as I have often said, is within the souls of men.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><i><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Black Elk - Oglala Sioux</span></i><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">~<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>~<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>~<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>~<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">You who are so wise must know that different nations have different conception of things. You will not therefore take it amiss if our ideas of the white man's kind of education happens not to be the same as yours. We have had some experience of it.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Several of our young people were brought up in your colleges. They were instructed in all your sciences; but, when they came back to us, they were all bad runners, ignorant of every means of living in the woods, unable to bear either cold or hunger. They didn't know how to build a cabin, take a deer, or kill an enemy. They spoke our language imperfectly.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">They were therefore unfit to be hunters, warriors, or counsellors; they were good for nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">We are, however, not the less obliged for your kind offer, though we decline accepting it. To show our gratefulness, it the gentleman of Virginia shall send us a dozen of their sons, we will take great care with their education, instruct them in all we know, and make men of them.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><i><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Canassatego - Treaty of Lancaster</span></i><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">COMMON COLD REMEDYs:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Its that time of year again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Here are some natural ways to treat your cold and help you back on your feet.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">~<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>~<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>~&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ~<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 18pt;">T</span></b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">he common cold and influenza are viral infections that affect almost everyone one or more times every year. When you catch a cold or the flu, the virus attaches itself to the cells of the mucous membranes in your respiratory tract. The virus destroys cells, which causes you to feel sick and experience symptoms like a sore throat and stuffy nose. Colds most often involve the upper respiratory tract, and flu viruses attack your lower respiratory tract producing more severe symptoms such as fever and body aches. Colds can be severe and lead to secondary infections including ear infections, bronchitis, sinusitis and influenza. Herbal and vitamin supplements can make you feel more comfortable, control fever, improve the body's recovery time, and provide protection. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 18pt;">H</span></b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">erbal supplements and tonics can strengthen the immune system and aid in balancing your body's biochemical and physiological systems. The immune system functions by producing antibodies and stimulating specialized cells, which destroy foreign cells or organisms and neutralize their toxic products. The immune system also recognizes and eliminates damaged or dying cells. The immunity process involves the production of white blood cells and other chemical and physical barriers in the body. Herbs help maintain the immune system and make it responsive to changing circumstances, and strengthen the body when under attack. When your various systems are in balance, you are less likely to get colds, flu and other infections. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 18pt;">N</span></b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">ot all colds and flu can be prevented. If you have a viral infection, anything you do to stimulate your immune system can help reduce the severity and duration of your illness. There are several herbs that may offer protection or relief for you this cold and flu season.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/echin.htm"><b><span style="color: blue;">Echinacea </span></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 18pt;">T</span></b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">his herb activates the immune system to counter both bacterial and viral infections. It inhibits the ability of viruses and bacteria to take over cells thus exposing the body to infection. Echinacea is a mild natural antibiotic and has a stimulating effect on the body's immune defenses. It is best taken at the onset of symptoms and can protect against staph and strep infections and help relieve swollen lymph nodes.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goldenseal.htm"><b><span style="color: blue;">Goldenseal </span></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 18pt;">C</span></b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">ommonly found in combination formulas, goldenseal has antibacterial properties and is a potent remedy for disorders affecting mucous membranes. It is a valuable immune system enhancer and a cold and flu fighter. Goldenseal is valuable in fighting sinus and lung congestion, sore throats, swollen lymph nodes, and fever. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/garlic.htm"><b><span style="color: blue;">Garlic </span></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 18pt;">G</span></b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">arlic is an excellent remedy for all types of chest infections. It is good for colds, flu, ear infections and it helps to reduce mucous. It may be taken with conventional antibiotics to support their action and ward off side effects. Garlic discourages the growth of many bacteria and viruses. It is especially good for persistent coughs and bronchitis. Garlic also contains vitamins A, C, and E, which also support the immune system.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/ginseng.htm"><b><span style="color: blue;">Ginseng </span></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 18pt;">T</span></b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">his valuable herb increases mental and physical efficiency and resistance to stress and disease. It is an adaptogen that can balance the body's systems, depending on the individual needs. For example, if the white blood cell count is low the herb will increase the white blood cell count. Furthermore, when the body requires sleep it can produce a sedative effect. Ginseng increases immune function and resistance to infection and can help improve energy and stamina.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Hyssop</span></b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 18pt;">H</span></b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">yssop has healing effects in the treatment of respiratory infections, lung conditions and bronchitis. Used as a tea, it is a strong expectorant, which acts by loosening phlegm, thus relieving symptoms such as congestion, coughs, and hoarseness. As an antiviral it also helps rid the body of toxins that are produced by viruses. Hyssop can sooth the digestive tract and mucous membranes offering relief for sore throats. It also has natural sedative effects and can help to reduce fevers. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/licorice.htm"><b><span style="color: blue;">Licorice</span></b></a> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 18pt;">L</span></b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">icorice root works both by supporting the immune system and by directly inhibiting various viruses. It reduces throat irritations, lung congestion, and is used for coughs and bronchial problems. Licorice produces a protective lining for the stomach, making it a useful remedy in inflammatory stomach conditions. Licorice is one of the most prescribed herbs in Europe for the treatment of colds and flu.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/elderberry.htm"><b><span style="color: blue;">Elderberry</span></b></a> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 18pt;">L</span></b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">ike echinacea, elderberry is a powerful immune system stimulant and can relieve several cold and flu symptoms. Elderberry tea is an old and effective remedy for relieving coughs, treating sinus congestion, and reducing the pain and swelling of a sore throat. It is also beneficial for respiratory conditions and promotes the removal of waste products from the body. The tea is relaxing and produces a mild perspiration that helps to reduce fever. Elderberries are rich in vitamins A and C. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">*****ALERT*****<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">From: "LPDOC" &lt;contact@whoisleonardpeltier.info&gt;<br />Subject: Leonard Peltier In Transit<br />Date: Tue, 13 Sep 2011 09:53:23 -0700 (PDT)<br /><br /><br />Leonard Peltier has been moved from USP-Lewisburg. At this time, he is at the Federal Transfer Center (FTC) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. This is an administrative and "holdover" facility. That means he will be held in Oklahoma temporarily -- although "temporarily" could mean months -- after which he will be transferred to another facility.<br /><br />Please continue your efforts on Leonard's behalf. Keep calling the White House -- 202-456-1111. Obama must free Leonard Peltier.<br /><br />Keep demanding a transfer for Leonard that is within 500 miles of his home. Tell the Federal Bureau of Prisons that the only acceptable transfer is one to a medium security facility in close proximity to his family and Nation.<br /><br />Please send e-mails, write letters and call BOP every single day. Make reference to Leonard Peltier #89637-132 and contact:<br /><br />Dr. Thomas Kane, Acting Director <br />Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP)<br />320 1st Street, NW<br />Washington, DC 20534 <br />E-Mail: info@bop.gov <br />Phone: (202) 307-3250 (Director); (202) 307-3198 (Switchboard)<br />Fax: (202) 514-6620 <o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>Find out what more you can do to help:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><a href="http://www.whoisleonardpeltier.info/"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.whoisleonardpeltier.info/</span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Blood quantum and membership in tribal nations<br />September 16, 2011<br /><br /><br />"A colleague and I were discussing tribes that use blood quantum to determine their membership. She said, "Tribes that do this are setting themselves up for extinction. Eventually intermarriage will wipe fixed blood quantum out.” I totally agree with her: under the current blood quantum of my own tribal membership, my future grandchildren will not qualify to be members. As an American Indian and tribal member, this concerns me. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">My colleague said her tribe recently opened up their membership for new members including new babies, people who moved out of state, etc. In order to become a new member each person seeking enrollment had to answer, historical, cultural, and family questions that pertained to the tribe's identity. For newborns, their parents had to answer these questions. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">It was this tribe’s belief that if prospective members were connected to their community roots, they would know the answers to the tribe’s questions. Individuals who moved away and did not maintain any connection to their tribal community were not able to answer the questions and were refused membership, regardless of blood quantum. Perhaps this is one alternative that tribes will consider to replace blood quantum requirements." <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">WHITE HOUSE BLOG<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Supporting law and order in Indian Country<br />Thursday, September 15, 2011<br /><br /><br />"In line with Attorney General Holder’s commitment to enhancing public safety in Indian Country, Assistant Attorney General Tom Perrelli announced grants totaling $118.4 million to support law enforcement practices and sustain crime prevention and intervention efforts. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Tribal governments received awards in areas including public safety and community policing; methamphetamine enforcement; justice systems and alcohol and substance abuse; corrections and correctional alternatives; violence against women; elder abuse; juvenile justice; and tribal youth programs. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">“This year, we encouraged comprehensive safety planning– because we know innovative and holistic approaches work,” said Perrelli, who made the announcement at the department’s Four Corners Indian Conference in Ignacio, Colorado. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Perrelli also spoke about the department’s streamlined grant application for federal funding. Now in its second year, the Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS) serves as a single application for existing tribal government-specific grant programs administered by the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), and the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW)." <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/site/authors.aspx?a=JIM-MYERS-WORLD-WASHINGTON-BUREAU"><span style="color: blue;">By JIM MYERS World Washington Bureau</span></a><br />Published: 9/15/2011 2:37 AM<br /><br /></span><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 18pt;">WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama announced Wednesday that he will nominate former U.S. Rep. Brad Carson, D-Okla., to become the next general counsel of the Army.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><br />Obama's announcement covered a number of nominations to be sent to the U.S. Senate for confirmation.<br /><br />"I am pleased to announce that these experienced and committed individuals have agreed to join this administration, and I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead," the president said.<br /><br />Carson served in Congress from 2001 until 2005.<br /><br />He gave up a safe seat in 2004 to launch an unsuccessful bid for the U.S. Senate, a race he lost to Republican Sen. Tom Coburn.<br /><br />After leaving Congress, he joined a Navy Reserve Unit and served in Iraq with the Army on active military duty.<br /><br />He received the Bronze Star for that service. <br /><br />A Rhodes Scholar, Carson was a White House Fellow from 1997 to 1998 and worked as a special assistant to the defense secretary.<br /><br />Several months ago, Carson took a serious look at re-entering elective politics and running at his old House seat, which is being vacated by incumbent Rep. Dan Boren, D-Okla. <br /><br />Carson unexpectedly decided against running for that post again.<br /><br />He now is an associate professor of business law at the University of Tulsa, where he also is director of the National Energy Policy Institute.<br /><br />Neither Coburn nor the state's senior U.S. senator, Republican Jim Inhofe, commented on Obama's decision to nominate Carson for the key defense post. <br /><br />Inhofe is a veteran member of the Senate Armed Service Committee, which will handle the nomination.<br /><br />Jared Young, a spokesman for Inhofe, said the senator plans to look at Carson's record in Congress on military issues.<br /><br />"After analyzing his positions, Sen. Inhofe will determine whether or not he believes Carson's record is one that is detrimental to the military or not," Young said.<br /><br />"If it is one that is detrimental to the military, then he will oppose his nomination."<br /><br />Boren, the only Democrat in Oklahoma's congressional delegation, welcomed the announcement.<br /><br />"I was pleased to hear the announcement today from the White House concerning Brad Carson's nomination," he said. "Brad has rendered exceptional service throughout his career in both the Congress and while in uniform. I wish him well in his confirmation process."<br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">TRIBE OFFERS TO TAKE OVER CEMETERY<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Letter from United Auburn Indian Community indicates desire to care for property <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">A proposal to convey ownership of the Colfax Indian Cemetery property has been presented to the Colfax Cemetery District.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">At the Aug. 31 meeting of the Colfax Cemetery District, Gregory S. Baker, Tribal Administrator for the United Auburn Indian Community, presented a letter from the UAIC indicating the UAIC’s desire to “enter into a preliminary agreement to acquire, for the ‘trust and care,’ the property known as the Colfax Indian Cemetery.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">The UAIC will also provide “financial resources for the upkeep, utility costs, liability insurance, and various operational needs for the property,” Baker said in the letter.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">According to Nancy Hagman, Colfax Cemetery District trustee and district board executive secretary, the cemetery district is following a recommendation by the 2008 Placer County Grand Jury that the district divest itself of the Indian Cemetery property because of the liability.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">In February 2011 the cemetery district issued a resolution recognizing the Colfax-Todds Valley Consolidated Tribe as volunteers, allowing them to maintain the facility and gravesites, as they had done in the past. The tribe was also required to obtain liability insurance to cover burial ceremonies, specifically hand digging of graves. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Foresthill resident Pamela Cubbler, chairman of the Colfax-Todds Valley Consolidated Tribe, said her group has not yet met with the UAIC.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">“The only comment we can make is that their offer to purchase the land for the local Indian community is a very generous offer,” Cubbler said.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Judy Marks, of the Burial Grounds Committee that maintains the cemetery for the Colfax-Todds Valley Consolidated Tribe, said she was aware of the UAIC’s proposal.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Speaking for the Burial Grounds Committee only, Marks said, “We just appreciate their offer very much and look forward to working with them … We are hopeful that things will eventually work out.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Doug Elmets, spokesman for the UAIC, said the UAIC would reimburse the Colfax Cemetery District for expenses they may have incurred over the last several years … including such things as water and maintenance … Moving forward the UAIC would have the responsibility for water, maintenance, insurance.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Elmets said there are numerous members of the UAIC who have relatives who are buried in the cemetery and the UAIC would like to maintain and preserve the cemetery for the ancestors of tribal members buried there.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">The UAIC is intent on maintaining open access to the Indian cemetery, Elmets stressed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">“Provided that the cemetery district conveys the property to the UAIC, the Tribe will maintain open access for family members of other tribes in the region who have relatives buried there,” Elmets said.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">According to Hagman, a public hearing on the issue will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, at Colfax City Hall, 33 S. Main St.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">WHAT LOVE MEANS TO 4-8 YEAR OLDS<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Touching words from the mouth of babes. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 <o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">year-olds, 'What does love mean?' The answers they got were broader and <o:p></o:p></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what you think:<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Love is what makes you smile when you're tired.'<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Terri - age 4<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">&gt; &gt;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>&gt;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>&gt;<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">'Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip <o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.'<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Danny - age 7<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">&gt;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>&gt;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>&gt;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>&gt; <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening <o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">presents and listen.'<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Bobby - age 7 (Wow!)<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">&gt;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>&gt;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>&gt;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>&gt; <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">'If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend <o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">who you hate,'<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Nikka - age 6<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">(we need a few million more Nikka's on this planet)<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">&gt; &gt;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>&gt;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>&gt; <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">'Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still <o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">friends even after they know each other so well.'<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Tommy - age 6<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">&gt;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>&gt;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>&gt;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>&gt; <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">'My mommy loves me more than anybody<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night.'<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Clare - age 6<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">&gt;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>&gt;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>&gt;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>&gt; <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">'Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.'<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Elaine-age 5<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">&gt; &gt;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>&gt;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>&gt; <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">'Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is <o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>handsomer than Robert Redford.'<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>Chris - age 7<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">&gt;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>&gt;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>&gt;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>&gt; <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>'Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone <o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">all day.'<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Mary Ann - age 4<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">&gt;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>&gt;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>&gt;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>&gt; <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">'When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars <o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">come out of you.' (what an image)<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Karen - age 7<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">&gt;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>&gt;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>&gt;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>&gt; <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">'Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's <o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">gross.'<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Mark - age 6<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">&gt;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>&gt;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>&gt;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>&gt; <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">'You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you <o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.'<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>Jessica - age 8<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">&gt;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>&gt;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>&gt;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>&gt; <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">And the final one -- Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked <o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">about a contest he was asked to judge.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an <o:p></o:p></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's <o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy <o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">said,<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">'Nothing, I just helped him cry'<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Weird Body Quirks: From Brain Freeze to Hiccupping<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt;">The Brain Freeze<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Oh no, not again! Another frozen treat, another brain freeze. “Ice cream headaches” happen when something cold touches nerves in the roof of the mouth, triggering blood vessels in the front of your head to swell. This rapid swelling causes the familiar, jabbing pain of a brain freeze. An easy solution? Try eating ice cream or other cold foods more slowly to avoid getting a headache.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt;">Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Sure, it’s a mood killer, but this problem is very common and happens to completely healthy people. While it can occur on the face, sweating is usually worse on the palms, soles, and in the armpits. Treatment may include aluminum chloride antiperspirants, Botox injections, oral medications, mild electrical currents, or even surgery.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt;">Vertigo<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Whoa! If it feels like the room’s moving when it’s not, it could be vertigo. Sometimes caused by inner ear problems or nerve damage, vertigo can last minutes, even hours. To distinguish vertigo from dizziness, there must be a feeling of motion; other symptoms that may occur include hearing loss, ear discomfort, and unusual eye movements. Treating vertigo depends on the cause.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt;">Arm or Leg Goes to Sleep<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Ever get that dull feeling in your arm or leg like it’s asleep? This temporary and harmless sensation is caused by constant pressure on nerves, leaving them unable to transmit messages to your brain. The cure is simple: change positions. As feeling starts to come back to the area, you may experience tingling (“pins and needles”) for a little while. Chronic tingling indicates a more serious underlying condition that should be evaluated.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt;">Hiccups<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Hiccups are an uncontrollable contraction of the diaphragm (the breathing muscle under the lungs). Eating too much or too fast, overdoing alcohol, or swallowing air can all cause the hiccups. They usually go away on their own, but you can try remedies like holding your breath, quickly drinking water, and breathing in a bag to help hasten hiccups away.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt;">Tonsil Stones<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Although those bad smelling lumps can be uncomfortable, tonsil stones (also called tonsilloliths) are generally harmless. Hanging out in the tonsil pockets, they form when bacteria and debris get trapped, forming a hard piece of matter and a bad taste in your throat. You can remove small stones with a swab, but if they’re not bothering you, no treatment is necessary.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt;">Ear Popping<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">We’ve all yawned on a plane trip to “pop” our ears. What we’re doing is equalizing the pressure between the inside and the outside of our eardrum as the altitude changes. That “pop” means a tube connecting your middle ear to the back of your throat has opened, relieving pressure. To help, you can also close your mouth, hold your nose, and blow gently; or try chewing gum or yawning.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt;">Charley Horse<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">This startling muscle spasm can last a few seconds, even several minutes. Dehydration, muscle overuse, nerve irritation, and low levels of certain minerals -- like potassium and calcium -- can be culprits. Walk around to relieve the pain, or shake your leg and stretch the muscle. If cramps persist, see your doctor.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt;">Black Hairy Tongue<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">No, this isn’t something from a creature feature. Black hairy tongue occurs when the little bumps on your tongue grow long (instead of shedding), and bacteria grow on them. Poor oral hygiene, smoking, some mouthwashes, radiation therapy to the head and neck, and certain medications can play a role. To help, brush your teeth and tongue twice a day, use a tongue scraper, and avoid aggravating factors.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt;">Eye Twitching<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Eyelid spasms are unpredictable, bothersome, and harmless. Eye twitching can be caused by stress, fatigue, eyestrain, caffeine, and dry eyes, though more serious twitching may be caused by neurological disorders, like Tourette’s syndrome. Eyelid spasms usually go away on their own, but if they are severe, Botox injections may be recommended.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt;">Overdevelopment of Male Breasts<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Gynecomastia is usually caused by normal changes in hormone levels at birth, puberty, and later in life. For newborns and boys, the ratio of estrogens (female hormones) to androgens (male hormones) balances out in time. It’s also seen in men as they age, often related to certain medications, liver or kidney problems, or tumors. A physician’s evaluation can get at the root cause, but by itself, the condition is usually harmless.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt;">Dark Circles Under the Eyes<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Got raccoon eyes? People blame age or fatigue for these dark circles and they’re right. Lack of sleep makes your skin pale, emphasizing the dark circles, while age means thinner skin around the eyes, making it easier to see any discoloration. Allergies can also lead to dark circles, and heredity plays a role as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt;">Excessive Hair Growth<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Few women enjoy excess hair on their face and body, but while hirsutism can be embarrassing, it’s generally harmless. Hirsutism affects about 5% of women. It may be genetic or caused by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition characterized by an excess of androgens (male hormones). In rare cases, hirsutism is caused by hormone-secreting tumors. Treatment depends on the cause and can include bleaching, electrolysis, hormone therapies, and laser hair removal.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt;">Discolored Nails<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Curious about color changes in your nails? About 50% of nail problems are caused by fungal infections. Greenish nails may come from pseudomonas bacteria and are easily treated with antibiotics. Yellowish nails are often a sign of fungus. And red, purple, or black under nails may be caused by blood resulting from injury. Changes can also be related to medical treatments or signal a more serious condition. Unsure? Get those nails checked!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt;">Red Nose From Rosacea<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Rosacea often causes red patches on the sensitive skin of the face. In rare cases the nose becomes thickened and bumpy, a condition called rhinophyma. This is more common in men than women, and genetics do play a role. Treatments at this stage can include lasers and other light therapies, dermabrasion, and electrocautery.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt;">Canker Sores<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div style="border-color: currentColor currentColor windowtext; border-style: none none dashed; border-width: medium medium 1pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: dashed windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-border-bottom-alt: dashed windowtext .75pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Canker sores are small ulcers inside the mouth. They are also called aphthous ulcers. Unlike cold sores, which appear as painful, small blisters and are very contagious, canker sores are not caused by a virus. Certain foods or nutritional deficiencies may trigger a canker sore, as can emotional stress and a mouth injury. When needed, treatments include topical medication and mouthwash solutions.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-border-bottom-alt: dashed windowtext .75pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none; padding: 0in;"><br /></div></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">ITS NOT EASY BEING A SENIOR CITIZEN<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yesterday my daughter asked why I didn't do something useful with my time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>She suggested I go down to the senior center and hang out with the guys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I did this and when I got home last night I told her that I had joined a parachute club. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">She said "Are you nuts? You're almost 74 years old and you're going to start jumping out of airplanes?"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I proudly showed her that I even got a membership card.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">She said to me, "For heaven's sake, where are your glasses! This is a membership to a Prostitute Club, not a Parachute Club!"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I'm in trouble again and don't know what to do!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I signed up for five jumps a week!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div style="border-color: currentColor currentColor windowtext; border-style: none none dashed; border-width: medium medium 1pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: dashed windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: dashed windowtext .75pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none; padding: 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Life as a senior citizen is not getting any easier.</span></span></div></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU EAT!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A dietitian was addressing a large audience in Chicago: “The material we put into our stomachs is enough to have killed most of us sitting here, years ago. Red meat is awful. Soft drinks erode your stomach lining. Chinese food is loaded with MSG. Vegetables can be disastrous to some and none of us realize the long term harm caused by the germs in our drinking water. But there is one thing that is the most dangerous of all and we all have eaten or will eat it. Can anyone here tell me what food it is that causes the most grief and suffering for years after eating it?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div style="border-color: currentColor currentColor windowtext; border-style: none none dashed; border-width: medium medium 1pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: dashed windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: dashed windowtext .75pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none; padding: 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A 75 year old man in the front row stood up and said, “Wedding cake</span></span></div></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">THE KISS<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A tough-looking group of bikers were riding </span></span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">when they saw a girl about to jump off a bridge, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">so they stopped. The leader, a big burly man, gets off his bike and says, "What are you doing?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">"I'm going to commit suicide," she says. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He wants to distract her, so he says the first thing that pops into his head. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">"Well, before you jump, why don't you give me a kiss? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">At least you go out with a nice memory, eh?" <o:p></o:p></span></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">She thinks for a moment and then she gives him a long, deep, lingering kiss. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After she's finished, the biker says, "Wow! That was the best kiss I have ever had. That's a real talent you are wasting. You could be famous. Why are you committing suicide?" <o:p></o:p></span></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">"My parents don't like me dressing up like a girl."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">BIRDS AND WHAT LESSON THEY BRING US;<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Blackbird:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Blackbird awakens the mind with awareness as changes of perceptions are unfolding. He stirs psychic abilities and brings to consciousness latent healing gifts and creativity. Blackbird shows how to move with determination, focus and tenacity and how to use your power to its fullest potential. At this time there is a magic of the unseen worlds coming forth that is paired with the balance of grounding within the earth as you walk your path. Blackbird will guide in this new awakening. Blackbird teaches use of intuition that will aid in understanding Mother Nature and the connection to all things. Are you listening carefully to the seen and unseen worlds? Are you grounding and balancing your energy appropriately? Blackbird will teach much and bring new surprises when you least expect it. Pay attention and listen carefully.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Blue Jay:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Blue Jay is highly adaptive and will teach knowledge of survival in this world and in others. He will guide in the proper use of power to utilize abilities to their fullest potential. Blue Jay will aid in this discovery and developing personal power, awareness and higher knowledge. Blue Jay helps balance the earthy realm with Spiritual, teaches courage and tenacity along with ingenuity and resourcefulness. Are you listening to your intuition and instincts? Are you balancing your gifts? Blue Jay will teach much for he will show how to master the abilities you are learning.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Crow:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Crow is a harbinger of change; spiritual, mental and emotional. Life, death, rebirth, transition magic, watchfulness, look for opportunities coming up, aids in ability to move spiritually and physically. They teach the power and balance of light/dark and spiritual/physical. He teaches to create and manifest things in our lives, all of life is waiting. Crow announces a newness on the horizon. Are you aware of the nuances in life? Are you listening to signs around you? Crow can give strength and show you how to maneuver in intuitions and insights.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Duck:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Duck shows emotional comfort and protection. She teaches how to move with grace and comfort in actions, emotions and thoughts. Shes aids in balancing the mind and emotions - the physical and spiritual and discerning when to move while easing the transitions between the worlds. Is it time to be vocal or quiet? Let Duck guide in how to express oneself. She shows emotional strength that you may need at this time. She teaches quick and speedy movements for ideas to take flight. Duck will show new opportunities so be alert. She will also help filter out what is not needed, what is important and discern what is true. It is a good time to try new foods and flavors as tastes may be changing. She helps to drudge up the past - old patterns and behaviors, people and situations in order to heal them. The time period for Duck's lessons is about 28 days. Pay attention to the variety of colors of Duck for further insight.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Egret:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Egret teaches to stand in the physical and spiritual worlds. He teaches healing of the emotions in order to bridge the heart and mind. This also correlates to grounding properties in order to receive and process spiritual and emotional insights for clarity. Egret helps look deeper into aspects of life, brings out innate wisdom and shows how to become self-reliant. Egret is sharp, direct and to the point. Determination, balance, follow your own path. He aids in seeing the bigger picture as a whole instead of the small parts. He will instill security and confidence in exploring the mind and emotions. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Flicker:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Flicker demonstrates a new rhythm and cycle of growth. She shows the importance of healing love and the power of forgiveness. Insights and intuitions are activated and perceptions are changing. She teaches us how to connect with the earth and how to ground ourselves in nature with a vibrate vitality. Flicker aids in our ability to find deeper meanings and hidden qualities of patterns and coincidences. She teaches balance and harmony in the spiritual and mental realms. Flicker shows tenacity, patience and straightforward actions to accomplish endeavors at this time. Listen carefully to Flicker medicine for she will guide in perfect timing.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Gulls:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Subtle lessons in behavior and communication, teaches to read people more effectively. Seagulls are spiritual messengers that demonstrate that a higher communication with guides is taking place. He shows how to see above situations with a higher clarity and teaches that there are many perspectives to consider. Seagull shows a sense friendship and community and the cooperation that is needed for the whole to operate successfully. He teaches how to ride the currents of the mental, emotional and physical worlds. Are you going with the flow or fighting it? Are you cooperating with others? Are you open to your guides? Seagull can teach you many lessons of looking, living and being. It is time to listen and watch for the nuances and timing of action</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Hope life is treating you well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>May Creator keep you healthy and safe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>May your problems be on their way out..<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Until next month…be safe<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Shiakoda Autumn Wolf Moon Q.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Shiakoda Autumn Wolf Moon Q.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04821100742943607490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749857024160092168.post-48573279203694564322011-08-11T17:24:00.000-07:002011-08-11T17:24:28.786-07:00<br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;</span>METIS/District 14 Wolf Clan, Ct<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>WOLF SPIRIT newsletter<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>August 2011<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt;">Aquai,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt;">Its HOT!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I've had enough of these 'heat waves'.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Where is the cold weather I was complaining about a while back???<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>:&gt;)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I need to find a state where the temperature is even all year round.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Some place about in the sixties and seventies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I can deal with that..<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I guess I'm getting old and just can't take the changes anymore. The four seasons are beautiful but from a distance or in pictures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>LOL<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt;">I'm sorry I am late with the newsletter but I just had eye surgery and it was hard to read and/type.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I am healing now so here we go.........................:&gt;)<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt;">Well, enjoy the newsletter. (I hope in your airconditioned home.)<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 24pt; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">NEWS:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 24pt; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">Circle of Violence: Their Spirits are Torn<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">By Karonienhawi Thomas <br /><br />July 16, 2011 <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">My mother told me about a presentation she saw that mentioned how one kind person can make all the difference to a victim of sexual assault. This stood out to me—that one act of kindness from one person could have such a profound effect on someone in the midst of trauma. I thought of an article I had read about infants in a Romanian orphanage who had no meaningful human contact, no mother to rock them to sleep, no father to comfort them when they were sick. The orphans who were continually unstimulated by any meaningful human contact would sometimes roll over and just pass away, some say from heartache.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">A mother’s soft voice or the reassuring whisper of a father to a child is often not heard by some children in Indian country. Often, women in Indian country suffer through sexual violence without any meaningful human contact. Like the infant that turns to the wall and dies, so does part of the woman or man who is victimized. Women and children in Indian country are statistically more likely to suffer acts of violence and sexual assault than any other racial group in the United States. That distinction is a result of historical oppression picked up and internalized by our people, culminating in physical and sexual violence. It all starts with the disrespect prevalent in cartoons, movies, music, punch lines, workplaces and homes. But it’s time to stop ignoring it.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">I have been honored to hear many enlightened women in Indian country speak about these issues with great conviction and understanding. I can remember listening to my mother and my aunties speak about the true beauty and awesome power that our life givers carry. One of the greatest gifts the creator gave to us as human beings was the ability to learn, the ability to forgive and the ability to change. When you look at what prevents our people from recovering—not just from the generational oppression pressed upon the chests of our women, men and children, but from addiction, domestic violence, grief, abuse, and sexual violence—you may find a common thread. We excuse and accept these types of violent behavior as normal. We have become a population of blind bystanders who fail to act, fail to understand and fail to accept our own responsibility in this assault on our families. Fortunately there are relatives who are standing up and calling attention to the mess we find ourselves in. They are delivering a message of change that is beginning to gain momentum.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">I have had the honor of working with some amazing people in my job as a special investigator of crimes against women and children. These women, men and children suffered from the ultimate offenses at the hands of loved ones. They are amazing not only because they survived but because they survived in spite of having to stand alone, outnumbered and ignored.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">One woman I know was so beaten and bruised her spirit had been torn to pieces. She held herself together using what she had been taught: denial, drugs, self-loathing and shame. Her spirit, mind and body had suffered every humiliation and punishment a person could take. As she revealed that she was an addict, a victim and a willing participant in her own nightmare, it was hard to remember that there was a beautiful woman beneath her negative behaviors and poor choices.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Sometimes people in helping professions may unwittingly contaminate their service with their own standards and biases. They may label the victim as uncooperative or unsuitable. This leads the victim to being dismissed or overlooked because she is a disadvantaged, drug-addicted, uneducated, woman from Indian country. She is often treated as if she has no value, and that is the worst blow of all—the minute she, too, believes she is not worth a kind word or positive energy. The point when we as helpers become “us” and the victims become “them” is the beginning of our participation in the oppression.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Who is to blame? Is it the offender who abuses his or her family? Is it the non-offending parent that continues to stay? Is it the childhood of either one of these people? Or is it the relatives who sit back and watch? Or, perish the thought, is it us when we say, “That ain’t any of my business”?<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">We can either continually re-traumatize each other or decide to be part of the answer. We have been left with the hollow truth that we participate in our own oppression. We add to our relative’s pain when we ostracize a victim because of their disclosures, when we withhold friendships and friendly glances because we are uncomfortable. The answer lies within. We must turn to our ability to learn from mistakes, to change our own behaviors and to forgive ourselves, each other and those who hurt us.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br /></div><i><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Karonienhawi Thomas is a St. Regis Mohawk tribal police special investigator of crimes against women and children, including sex crimes, child abuse and neglect. She is a mother of two.</span></i><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 24pt; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">Jensen: First Powwow After Federal Recognition Celebrates Milestone <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Over Labor Day weekend, the Shinnecocks will hold their 65th Annual Powwow, open to the public. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Now that we are federal tribe number 565 (as of October 1, 2010), our upcoming 65th Annual Powwow that takes place every Labor Day weekend is shaping up as a celebration of that important milestone. We’ve come a long way.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Some people say we <a href="http://southampton.patch.com/listings/shinnecock-indian-reservation"><span style="color: blue;">Shinnecock</span></a> were here in these parts for over 10,000 years. Others think that’s nonsense; we’ve been here since Great Turtle arose from the sea, and that was as long ago as forever.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">In either case, longevity is a legacy belonging to us. We continue and we grow from the very first earth of Eastern Long Island. Patience is another. We’re still here. We managed to survive traders and warring tribes, and we learned to co-exist with settlers who arrived some 400 years ago. <o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Throughout the centuries, we’ve managed to build our own infrastructure that includes a <a href="http://southampton.patch.com/listings/shinnecock-presbyterian-church"><span style="color: blue;">church</span></a>, school, community center, health center and <a href="http://southampton.patch.com/articles/shinnecock-family-preservation-center-receives-new-acquisitions-for-elders"><span style="color: blue;">family preservation center</span></a>. And we have a few more planned and <a href="http://southampton.patch.com/articles/shinnecocks-break-ground-on-recovery-center"><span style="color: blue;">in the works</span></a> prior to being federally acknowledged, including an early learning/daycare center.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">So the 32 years it took the Bureau of Indian Affairs to wade through its own bureaucracy and decide we do indeed exist is no time at all, just another milestone in our long walk through time and local history.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">In this upcoming celebration, the Powwow Committee plans to start with <i>thank yous</i> to our local community neighbors, past and present elected officials from village to federal level, our brother and sister tribes from Long Island, and those tribes from New England and around the country that supported us throughout the years.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">The other component of this powwow is to honor ourselves, the Shinnecock, the People of the Stony Shore, beginning with our elders. Expect greetings from Council of Elders co-chairs Ed Garrett and James W. Eleazer Jr. In past years we’ve had an honorary powwow chief, starting with the late Henry Bess, <i>Chief Thunder Bird</i> and most recently, with Harry K. Williams, <i>Chief War Hawk</i>. Uncle Harry, as many of us call him, is ailing. So this year, the Powwow Committee commandeered tribal leadership, and for the first time we will have three honorary powwow chiefs comprised of <a href="http://southampton.patch.com/articles/bess-wins-shinnecock-trustee-runoff"><span style="color: blue;">The Shinnecock Nation Board of Trustees</span></a>: Chairman Randy King, Trustee Gerrod Smith and Trustee Fred Bess.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">The Host Drum selected this year is the predominately Shinnecock drumming group, Youngblood Singers; master of ceremonies and arena director are Shinnecock’s Charlie Smith and Eric Phillips, respectively, and Shinnecock entertainers will include <a href="http://southampton.patch.com/articles/miss-shinnecock-teen-junior-crowned"><span style="color: blue;">Gianni Willis, a singer and the newly crowned Jr. Miss Shinnecock Teen</span></a> and Matthew Hunter, who has his own band. Finally, for now, at least, the powwow program will include cover and inside artwork by Shinnecock artist David Bunn Martine, who is also the curator and director of the <a href="http://southampton.patch.com/listings/shinnecock-nation-cultural-center-museum-2"><span style="color: blue;">Shinnecock Nation Cultural Center and Museum</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Pulling together, we hope to make this powwow one of our finest.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">We move on. <i>We move together (Mamoweenene).</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Ed Delgado wins election as chair of Oneida Nation of Wisconsin <br />Monday, July 18, 2011<br /><br />Members of the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://oneida-nsn.gov/"><span style="color: blue;">Oneida Nation</span></a> of Wisconsin elected a new chairman and other leaders on Saturday. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">According to unofficial results, Ed Delgado, 65, defeated Ron "Tehassi" Hill for the chairman's post. The tally was 908 to 797 votes. <o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Greg Matson won the vice chairman's post over Dennis "DJ" Danforth Jr. Cristina Danforth defeated Kathy Hughes for treasurer and Patty Ninham Hoeft was elected secretary over Pat Lassila. <o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Tribes sue Tupelo, others over FBI raid <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">by Patsy R. Brumfield<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">A Washington state Indian tribe has sued the city of Tupelo and Marshall County, among others, claiming their law enforcement officials illegally invaded tribal lands during an FBI-led raid earlier this year.<br /><br />The Feb. 16 search’s target was property belonging to King Mountain Tobacco, under federal investigation in a years-long, multi-state blackmarket cigarette conspiracy.<br /><br />The Confederated Tribes and Bands of Yakama Nation insist the officials barged onto the tribe’s land without prior notice and illegally invaded their peace.<br /><br />The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court of Eastern Washington, seeks a court order compelling the defendants to notify the Yakama Nation of any entry onto reservation lands. It asks the court to find that Tupelo, Marshall County and five other local entities, who sent police officers to participate in the raid, violated the Yakamas’ treaty with the United States and to prohibit any more violations.<br /><br />The nation also wants a jury trial and court costs and attorney’s fees.<br /><br />News of the lawsuit came Friday in a city of Tupelo memo obtained by the Daily Journal. In it, the city’s attorney, John Hill, asked City Clerk Glenda Muse to put on the City Council’s July 19 agenda a proposal to hire a Washington State law firm to represent Tupelo.<br /><br />Friday, the U.S. District Court’s docket lists attorneys Michael John Kapaun and William M. Symmes of Spokane, Wash., as representing Tupelo. Hill says they’ve been “tentatively retained.”<br /><br />In Hill’s memo, he explains that a Tupelo police officer has been assisting federal authorities with the cigarette investigation and participated “in an action” on the Yakama reservation.<br /><br />Although the lawsuit doesn’t ask for monetary damages, Hill says that’s possible later on.<br /></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Connecticut tribes report mixed returns on slot machine revenue<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Monday, July 18, 2011<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Connecticut's two federally recognized tribes saw mixed results in their slot machine revenues for the month of June. <o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation remained steady with a win of $51 million. That's only than a tenth of a percent less than it kept in June 2010, The New London Day reported.. <o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">The Mohegan Tribe, on the other hand, saw a 4.4 percent decline in its win. But a top executive said profit is on the rise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 24pt; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">Justice delayed but finally delivered<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 18pt;">By Paul VanDevelder<br /></span></b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">July, 14 2011 2:25 pm <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">When federal District Judge Thomas F. Hogan approved a $3.4 billion settlement with several hundred thousand Native American plaintiffs last month, it was the largest court-ordered payout in the history of the United States government.<br /><br />The restitution finally closes an unsavory chapter in American history that began more than a century ago, when Congress passed the Dawes Act and threw open Indian Country to settlement by whites. The law not only robbed all the tribes that had treaties with the government –– treaties that involved roughly 120 million acres of their ancestral homelands –– it also turned over the management of any Indian-owned mineral royalties to the Department of the Interior. <br /><br />Courts were soon picking apart the legality of Dawes, but the flood of homesteaders made it impractical to return all of that stolen land to the Indians. As the years passed, Indian Country turned out to be much more than land for homesteads; it held a treasure chest of gold, silver, uranium, copper, zinc, cadmium, virgin timber, pure water, coal, gas and oil. Though the accounts held in trust for Indian people at the Interior Department should have been swelling with royalties, somehow they never were. Time and again, the evidence presented in the 15-year-old legal marathon known simply as Cobell — the case that was just settled recently — revealed that asking the Interior Department to make the captains of American industry play fair was like turning Fort Knox over to a gang of safecrackers. <br /><br />And they got away with it, year after year. Then, in 1994, as extractive corporations were discovering new oilfields on Indian reservations across the West, along came a feisty woman named Elouise Cobell. A banker for the Blackfeet Tribe in Montana, she had discovered irregularities in her own trust accounts, including the fact that royalties were not showing up as credits in her annual statements.<br /><br />The research she conducted into the Interior Department's royalty program led her to file a lawsuit in 1996, accusing the federal government of gross mismanagement. Soon, her case grew into an enormous elephant camped out in the government's living room. On one side were the Department of Justice, the Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. On the other side were Cobell and the 390,000 Indian plaintiffs who became part of her suit. Now, all of them wanted to know where their money had gone, and all of them wanted their money back. <br /><br />Cobell alleged that the federal government ignored its fiduciary duties to the plaintiffs by absconding with mineral royalties owed to the Indians since the passage of Dawes decades ago. In 1998, accountants for the firm of Price-Waterhouse told federal District Judge Royce Lamberth that some $50 billion had gone missing from Indian accounts.<br /><br />In 2003, after twice citing secretaries of the Interior for contempt of court, Judge Royce Lamberth, a conservative west Texas judge appointed by the first President Bush, made a landmark ruling in favor of the plaintiffs: “This case serves as an appalling reminder of the evils that result when large numbers of the politically powerless are placed at the mercy of institutions engendered and controlled by a politically powerful few.” <br /><br />After Lambert was removed from the case at the request of the second Bush administration, which alleged that Lamberth was being “too harsh on the government,” in 2008, a new judge, James Robertson, offered the Indians $455.6 million to make their claim go away.<br /><br />Cobell scoffed. “It's factually wrong and legally wrong,” she declared, “so we have to challenge it.” The Department of the Interior filed a counter-appeal but a few months later, Cobell prevailed again. <br /><br />Eric Eberhard, one of the nation's authorities on federal Indian law, says he hopes the Cobell case will lead to lasting reform in the management and administration of tribal and individual trust assets. ”Ultimately,” he adds, “the tribes should be managing their own trust assets, consistent with the principles of self-determination and self-governance, without diminishing the federal trust responsibility.” <br /><br />One hundred and twenty-four years after the passage of Dawes, this disgraceful scandal has finally reached a conclusion. Cobell, who is currently being treated for cancer, will receive $2 million. Three other named plaintiffs will receive payments ranging from $150,000 to $200,000, and hundreds of thousands of plaintiffs will receive a check from Uncle Sam for $1,000. At Cobell's request, $60 million will also be set aside to facilitate educational opportunities for Indian students. <br /><br />“I spent a lifetime trying to get justice,” says the 65-year-old Cobell. ”This has been with me since I was a child, hearing about people not having money, hearing people say, ‘If I had money I would buy clothing for my child.' I feel very fortunate that I was able to fight for the under-represented.”<br /><br />Like the plaintiffs, President Obama viewed this lawsuit as a stain on the nation, and he hailed the settlement as “an important step towards sincere reconciliation between the government and the Indians.” <br /><br />We'll see. I happen to think Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman had it right a long time ago. After spending 20 years in the West dealing with white settlers and Indian tribes, he was asked by a reporter in Washington, D.C., to describe the new reservations for the Sioux and Cheyenne.<br /><br />“The Indian reservations are parcels of land set aside for the exclusive use of Indians,” said Sherman, “that are surrounded by thieves.”<br /></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Wildfire damages sacred sites in New Mexico<br />Wednesday, July 13, 2011<br /><br />LOS ALAMOS, NEW MEXICO — The Las Conchas fire has raged in New Mexico for more than a week now, burning forest lands and sacred sites on two pueblos near Los Alamos and Santa Fe. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">There are nineteen pueblos in New Mexico varying in population from a few hundred to a few thousand. <o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">According to recent wire reports, the fire has burned about 130,000 total acres creating smoke throughout the state. The fire is thought to be about 30 percent contained. The town of Los Alamos, the home of National Laboratories, was evacuated for several days. <o:p></o:p></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">At Santa Clara Pueblo, 24 miles east of Santa Fe 15,400 acres of forest lands have burned, “that’s one-quarter of the reservation, or 80 percent of our forested lands,” said Joe Baca, public relations officer at the pueblo, in a telephone interview. “That’s land used for hunting, fishing and agriculture. It’s quite a blow. The intensity of the fire is leaving ash.” A fireline to stop the spread of the fire has been established by the U.S. Forest Service on the eastern edge of the tribal lands, Baca continued. <o:p></o:p></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">The fireline is 12 miles from the pueblo village where several thousand people live. So far there have been no injuries but it is not known how many structures have burned. <o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Many cultural areas of the reservation are sacred to the pueblo and Baca could not go into detail about them. But he said that one popular tourist attraction known as the Puye Cliffs which contain ancient cliff dwellings is being protected. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">There are sacred sites and cultural properties within the fire area, he said. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">“We don’t know yet how these places have been damaged. They are traditional and religious sites but the intensity of the fire prevents us from checking them," Baca said. "We have not been able to do a real assessment because of the smoke and the intense fire.” <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Tribal officials are establishing an evacuation plan in case it’s needed. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">“The eastern edge is contained and holding. The need to use an evacuation plan is small. It’s dangerous. But winds have been pushing the fire away from the pueblo lately,” Baca said. “I worry about the severity and intensity of the burn.” <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">The tribe has been meeting with the U.S. Forest Service and with firefighters from across the country. The Department of the Interior has been meeting with the tribal council to assess damages and restoration costs, Baca said. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">“People from the U.S. Forest Service said this is most unusual, the most intense fire they’ve experienced in their lives,” he said. “A drought and low humidity have led to dry timber and the inferno that has followed. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Tribal officials have been quoted in the media saying that attention was focused on Los Alamos while ignoring the Santa Clara pueblo but these reports are false, Baca said adding that he has been pleased with all of the help offered to the pueblo. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">There is a dangerously high smoke level in the area and a newsletter has been giving medical advice to people. Community nurses have been visiting people and monitoring the effects, he added. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Also, the monsoon season of rains is beginning and while this will help firefighters put out the flames, Baca fears that there could be flash flooding. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">“We are preparing to set up plans for the possible flash floods and because of the intensity of the fire, we will need resources to do reforestation.” <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">The tribe is working with the New Mexico congressional delegation, the White House and New Mexico governor Susana Martinez to help with the damage and the reforestation, Baca added. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">“I want to thank people for their prayers, assistance, volunteering and donations,” he said. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Meanwhile, leaders at nearby Cochiti pueblo, 35 miles southwest of Santa Fe, have expressed concern that the fire could get closer to their reservation. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">“It has burned evergreens that we use for dances, and it has affected animals,” said Dwight Mody, Cochiti’s Lieutenant Governor in a telephone interview. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Two firefighters have been injured but Cochiti Pueblo residents have been spared injury, Mody said. But smoke inhalation is a problem and could lead to illness especially in young children, the elderly and anyone with respiratory problems, Mody added. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Some sacred sites have been burned on the pueblo, but Mody could not give details because these are areas that are not known to outsiders. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Sites on the reservation that are visited by tourists including Tent Rocks, Cochiti Lake and the golf course have been spared so far, he said. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">“The wind went westward and pushed the fire back towards the mountains. The smoke is not as intense” as before. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">“We are trying to protect our water resources,” he added but said that there is no evacuation plan for the pueblo. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Firefighters from different parts of the country have been helping control the fire. “We hope and pray and I have confidence in the firefighters. They put their lives on the line,” Mody said. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Skies in the area are smoky at different times during the day. The tribe has scheduled meetings about the fire every morning at 6 a.m. for updates. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Amy Trice, a former chairwoman of the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.kootenai.org/"><span style="color: blue;">Kootenai Tribe</span></a> of Idaho, died last Thursday. She was 75. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Trice made headlines in 1974 when she declared "war" against the United States. She drew attention to the tribe's lack of federal recognition. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">“We lost a legacy for our tribe,” current chairwoman Jennifer Porter told The Spokesman Review. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Trice and other tribal members set up a toll booth along a major highway. Authorities responded with a show of force. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">“The state police came with Mace and sawed-off shotguns,” Trice said at the time, The Spokesman Review reported. “The closest thing we had to a weapon in our tribal office was a fly swatter.” <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">The effort led to establishment of a 12-acre reservation, housing and a clinic. Later, Trice helped bring gaming to the tribe. </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Deadline passes for tribes to implement sex offender registries<br />Thursday, July 28, 2011<br /><br />Nine tribes have "substantially" implemented the sex offender registration system, the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.justice.gov/"><span style="color: blue;">Department of Justice</span></a> said today, but the total could rise as more submissions were received before the July 27 deadline. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Title I of the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Walsh_Child_Protection_and_Safety_Act"><span style="color: blue;">Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act</span></a> requires tribes, states and territories to develop registries. Tribes that decline to do so will automatically cede authority to the state. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">So far, DOJ has determined that the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Oregon, the Yakama Nation of Washington, the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians of Michigan, the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma, the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians of Michigan, the Pueblo of Isleta in New Mexico, the Tohono O'odham Nation of Arizona and the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe of Washington have "substantially" implemented their systems. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">"Due to the number of recent submissions, we do not yet have a complete count of how many jurisdictions were able to implement [systems] by the deadline," Linda Baldwin, the director of the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.ojp.gov/smart/"><span style="color: blue;">SMART Office</span></a> at DOJ, said in a press release. "We are reviewing submissions as quickly as possible and will announce decisions about additional jurisdictions in the coming months as the reviews are completed." <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Only 14 states and one territory met the deadline. Those that failed to implement their systems could see a 10 percent reduction in funds awarded through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Tribes in <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.tribal-institute.org/lists/pl280.htm"><span style="color: blue;">Public Law 280</span></a> states weren't allowed to join the system. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Crews still working at cleanup of oil spill on the Blackfeet Nation <br />Thursday, July 28, 2011<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.blackfeetnation.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Blackfeet Nation</span></a> wants all oil and gas producers in Montana to be informed of their responsibilities in case of spills. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">A reported 840 gallons of oil spilled on the reservation on June 12. But FX Drilling Co. didn't report it to the tribe or federal authorities until a month later, when it had already reached Cut Bank Creek. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">"Producers of hydro-chemicals in the state of Montana would hear exactly their responsibilities and would have no excuse in the future to not report, underreport or ignore situations like on the Yellowstone or Cut Bank Creek," Chairman Willie Sharp Jr. said in a letter, the Associated Press reported. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Crews are about one third of the way through the cleanup of the spill, the AP said. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">KITCHEN MEDICINE:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">OREGANO </span></b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">(see marjoram) <br />~~~~~<br /><b>PARSLEY </b><br />AKA: rock selinon <br />RX: a few sprigs for fresh breath, infusion of leaves and seeds, tincture <br />The seeds and the leaves of this plant contain the oil that is known to curb high blood pressure, help with fever, freshen breath, help with allergies and help heart patients. <br />Warnings: do not use to promote weight loss <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">~~~~~<br /><b>PEPPER, RED </b><br />AKA: hot peppers, most of the pepper family including bell pepper <br />RX: cooking, infusion <br />It is a good digestive aid, can relieve infectious diarrhea ( can bring on noninfectious diarrhea if too many hot peppers are ingested), helps chronic pain when used externally, is the best shingles reliever, helps headaches, and tastes great! <br />Warnings: can burn the eyes, mouth and skin <br />~~~~~<br /><b>ROSEMARY: </b><br />AKA: rosemarine, incensier <br />RX: cooking, tea, infusion, tincture <br />In ancient times people wrapped their meat with rosemary to prevent spoilage. Rosemary is a natural preservative. Rosemary can prevent food poisoning, is a digestive aid, is a good decongestant and can kill bacteria. If you enjoy using rosemary in your cooking, use more! <br />Warnings: do not ingest rosemary oil, in large amounts, poisoning can occur <br />~~~~~<br /><b>SAFFRON </b><br />AKA: Spanish saffron <br />RX: 12 to 15 stigmas per cup of boiling water <br />Since it takes 75,000 flowers to make one pound of saffron, this herb is very expensive. Heart attack patients may actually save money using this as it is much cheaper than some clot dissolving drugs injected to treat heart attack. It can help to control some risk factors for heart disease. It also reduces cholesterol, de-clogs the arteries and lowers blood pressure. <br />Warnings: Saffron is best known as a spice, although it is sometimes used medicinally as an herbal supplement. While a normal intake of saffron through dietary means is considered safe for most people, including pregnant women, large doses could be dangerous during pregnancy. Medicinal use of saffron is not considered safe for pregnant women. High doses (10 grams or more) have reportedly caused contractions and even miscarriages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>~~~~~<br /><b>SAGE </b><br />AKA: all types of sage <br />RX: crushed leaves for cuts and wounds, infusion of dried leaves, tincture <br />Sage is the premiere anti-perspirant, cutting perspiration by up to 50 percent. it is a great fighter against infection, a good preservative, a digestive aid, can reduce blood sugar and helps a sore throat. And its flavor in meats and sausage is unrivaled! <br />Warnings: rare cases of inflammation of the lips and lining of the mouth. Sage oil should not be ingested. <br />~~~~~<br /><b>SAVORY </b><br />AKA: white time, bean herb <br />RX: infusion of leaves for childhood colds <br />A great culinary herb, savory has great soothing properties for children, it is a great expectorant and digestive aid and is subtle enough for use with children. <br />Warnings: none <br />~~~~~<br /><b>SKULLCAP </b><br />AKA: Quaker bonnet, mad dog weed, hoodwort, helmet flower <br />RX: use leaf infusion for tranquilizing effects <br />European medical experts now except skullcap's potential usefulness as a tranquilizer and sedative, and it is used in many commercial sleep preparations that are widely available in Europe. <br />Warnings: large doses may result in confusion, giddiness, twitching, and possible convulsions <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt;">FUNNIES:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt;">A man boarded an airplane and took his seat. As he settled in, he glanced up and saw the most beautiful woman boarding the plane.. <br /><br />He soon realized she was heading straight towards his seat .. As fate would have it, she took the seat right beside his.. <br /><br />Eager to strike up a conversation he blurted out, "Business trip or pleasure?" <br /><br />She turned, smiled and said, "Business. I'm going to the Annual Nymphomaniacs of America Convention in Boston " <br /><br />He swallowed hard. Here was the most gorgeous woman he had ever seen sitting next to him, and she was going to a meeting of nymphomaniacs. <br /><br />Struggling to maintain his composure, he calmly asked, "What's your business role at this convention?" <br /><br />"Lecturer," she responded. "I use information that I have learned from my personal experiences to debunk some of the popular myths about sexuality." <br /><br />"Really?" he said. "And what kind of myths are there?" <br /><br />"Well," she explained, "one popular myth is that African-American men are the most well-endowed of all men, when in fact it is the Native American Indian who is most likely to possess that trait. <br /><br />Another popular myth is that Frenchmen are the best lovers, when actually it is men of Jewish descent who are the best. <br /><br />I have also discovered that the lover with absolutely the best stamina is the Southern Redneck." <br /><br />Suddenly the woman became a little uncomfortable and blushed. "I'm sorry," she said, "I shouldn't really be discussing all of this with you. I don't even know your name.." <br /><br />"Tonto," the man said, "Tonto Goldstein, but my friends call me Bubba."<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt;">~<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>~<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>~<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>~<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A young New York woman was so depressed that she decided to end her life by throwing herself into the ocean, but just before she could throw herself from the docks, a handsome young man stopped her.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">"You have so much to live for," said the man. "I'm a sailor, and we are off to Italy tomorrow. I can stow you away on my ship. I'll take care of you, bring you food every day, and keep you happy."<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">With nothing to lose, combined with the fact that she had always wanted to go to Italy, the woman accepted.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">That night the sailor brought her aboard and hid her in a small but comfortable compartment in the hold. From then on, every night he would bring her three sandwiches, a bottle of red wine, and make love to her until dawn.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Two weeks later she was discovered by the captain during a routine inspection.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">"What are you doing here?" asked the captain.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">"I have an arrangement with one of the sailors," she replied. "He brings me food<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>and I get a free trip to Italy ."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">"I see," the captain says.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Her conscience got the best of her and she added, "Plus, he's screwing me."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">"He certainly is," replied the captain. "This is the Staten Island Ferry."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">~<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>~<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>~<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>~<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A pastor's wife was expecting a baby, so he stood before the congregation and asked for a raise. After much discussion, they passed a rule that whenever the preacher's family expanded, so would his paycheck.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After 6 children, this started to get expensive and the congregation decided to hold another meeting to discuss the preacher's expanding salary.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A great deal of yelling and inner bickering ensued, as to how much the clergyman's additional children were costing the church, and how much more it could potentially cost. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After listening to them for about an hour, the pastor rose from his chair and spoke, 'Children are a gift from God, and we will take as many gifts as He gives us. Silence fell on the congregation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the back pew, a little old lady struggled to stand, and finally said in her frail voice, 'Rain is also a gift from God, but when we get too much of it, we wear rubbers.' <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The entire congregation said, 'Amen.'<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></span></div><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">HEALTH MESSAGE: <o:p></o:p></span></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1. If walking/cycling is good for your health, the postman would be immortal. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2. A whale swims all day, only eats fish, drinks water and is fat. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3. A rabbit runs and hops and only lives 15 years. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4. A tortoise doesn't run, does nothing ..yet lives for 450 years. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">AND MY DOCTOR TELLS ME TO EXERCISE! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I'm retired, go around me!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>PREGANCY Q. and A.<br /><br /><span lang="">1,&nbsp;&nbsp; Q. Should I have a baby after 35?</span><br /><br /><span lang="">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A. No, 35 children is enough.</span><br /><br /><span lang="">2.&nbsp; Q. I'm two months pregnant now, when will my baby move?</span><br /><br /><span lang="">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;A. With any luck, right after he finishes college.</span><br /><br /><span lang="">3.&nbsp; Q. What is the most reliable method to determine a baby' sex?</span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A. Childbirth.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;">4.&nbsp;&nbsp; Q. My wife is five months pregnant and so moody sometimes she is borderline irrational.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A.&nbsp; So whats your question?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;">5.&nbsp;&nbsp; Q. My childbirth instructor says what I'll feel during childbirth is not pain, its pressure.&nbsp; Is she&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; right?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A. Yes, in the same way a tornado can be called an air current.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;">6.&nbsp; Q. When is the best time to get an epidural?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A. Right after you find out your pregnant.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;">7.&nbsp; Q. Is there any reason&nbsp; I have to be in the delivery room while &nbsp;my wife is in labor?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A. Not unless the word 'alimony' means anything to you.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;">8.&nbsp; Q.Is there anything I should avoid while recovering from childbirth?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A. Yes, pregnancy.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;">9.&nbsp; Q. Do I have to have a baby shower?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A. Not if you change the baby's diaper quickly</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;">10. Q. Our baby was born last week.&nbsp; When will my wife feel and act normal again?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: left;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A. When the kids are in college</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;">If you need anymore advice please call me at:&nbsp; 888/777-5555&nbsp; I will be happy to advice you.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span lang="">From the diary of a Pre-School teacher.<br /></span></o:p><span lang=""></span></span></span><br /><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang=""><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;">My five year old students are learning to read.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;">Yesterday one of them pointed at a picture in a zoo book and said,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;">"Look at this!! Its' a frickin' elephant!"</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;">I took a deep breath, then asked..."What did you call it?"</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;">"It's a frickin' elephant! It says so on the picture!"</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;">And so it does..."A f r i c a n Elephant"</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;">Hooked on phonics! Ain't it wonderful?</div></span></span></span> <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">ANIMAL TOTEMS &amp; EARTH MEDICINE<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">~Life Paths~ <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Spirit of Cougar with Wolfs Moon <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><span lang=""><span lang=""> </span><br />Role: Leader~ <br />Lesson: Proper Use of Power <br />Element: Earth <br />Wind: West ~<br />The Quest Within~ <br />Medicine: Emissary </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;">~ ~ ~</div><span lang=""><span lang=""><span lang=""><span lang="">Spectral figure<br />prowls the night,<br />your yellow eyes burning bright,<br />as you watch the story<br />of Humanity unfold<br /><br />Wisdom garnered<br />through experiences faced,<br />a proud lineage of courage traced<br />back through the haunting canyons<br />of Time untold<br /><br />Your chilling scream<br />pierces the veil,<br />the resonating echo leaves a trail<br />that speaks to us<br />of a soul that stands alone<br /><br />Emissary &amp; messenger<br />of the planes you travel between<br />though rarely heard and seldom seen<br />our souls respond in resplendent joy<br />when you guide us ~Home~</span><br /></span></span></span>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"></div>~Keywords~ <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"></div>Leadership...Standing Behind Convictions...Confidence Clever...Awareness...Learning Proper use of Power Messenger between Humans &amp; The Divine Beings Balance...Steadfast...Responsible...Dependable <br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">**~Leadership<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Watching the Cougar (also known in other cultures and regions as either Puma or Mountain Lion) one is keenly aware of the formidable grace and power that is reflected in every stride taken or leap made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>And yet the sense is that the Cougar has a conscious awareness of his strength and the potential to inflict great harm with very little effort, a fact that is reflected in the tenderness with which the female cougar treats her young as a mouth that can easily crush bones is also capable of exceptional gentleness as she bathes her cubs. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adults can weigh in anywhere between 100 - 200 lbs., with an average length of 48 - 60 inches with an additional 28 inches of tail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>They are renowned jumpers, possessing the ability to leap 30 feet horizontally and up to 18 feet vertically, a testimony to the powerful leg muscles of these magnificent creature beings. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">***For the two-legged beside whom Cougar strides, there will exist an inherent power and strength that is the very core of their Being.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>These are incredibly powerful individuals, though such power is gifted via a process of trial and error as the Cougar soul learns the difference between using such formidable power, and abusing it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Most Cougar individuals have an inner respect and understanding of their own abilities and hence, will generally not throw their weight around unless they are either backed into a corner from which there is no obvious escape, or unless they are operating from an extremely damaged or unintegrated Personality Center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Yet for those who begin wielding such a gift in a reckless manner, many painful encounters and situations will arise that may initially perplex the one who walks with Cougar, bringing losses in fortune, falls from positions of leadership or even public humiliation and/or scandal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Eventually, the unintegrated Mountain Lion will reflect upon the choices that have led him/her to such losses and embarrassments and, in new found humility, they will recognize the Lessons behind such experiences and (in most instances) modify their behavior and beliefs accordingly. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of the hallmark characteristics of the Cougar Soul, is an innate quest to <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">reach the best within themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It matters not whether they reach the top of the corporate ladder, excel academically, or are the leader of a cherished cause, these individuals will exude the sense that they are meant to be in the role of leader. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Interestingly however, most two-leggeds beside whom Cougar pads, will be reluctant leaders and will often find themselves at the top of the chain of command during an emergency or crisis when less capable individuals collapse around them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Seeing what needs to be done and acting accordingly, the Mountain Lion will stabilize the unbalanced situation and perform damage control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>This capacity to calmly assess and rectify problem situations will not go unnoticed, and here again may lie a challenge for the Cougar soul. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Because they generally make reluctant admirals (at least initially), the one that journeys with Mountain Lion may appear somewhat unimpressed with gaining the same promotion that may be jealously coveted by their peers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Such apparent indifference is often misinterpreted as arrogance, and petty envy amongst co-workers often surfaces as a result. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When Cougar Soul can embrace in humility and grace his/her Gift of Leadership and wield such power with compassion and strength, the leap is made to a higher plane of unity with the Soul’s Unique Purpose for incarnating.*** <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">**~Standing Behind Convictions<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Most cultures that have Cougar as one of several key figures of their lore recognize this beautiful cat as a creature of great strength, cunning and power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>And in observing the Mountain Lion in the wild, it is easy to see where such tales of prowess stem from as they utilize not only their strength alone, but also employ their intelligence and stealth. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">By looking at the solid and long form of the Cougar, it becomes apparent that these cats are designed for multiple tasks, as their large paws bespeak of an ability to traverse a wide variety of terrain from grassy paths to high granite walls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Their long, thick tails assist them with balancing in precarious positions and heights, while their muscular legs propel them higher and longer in leaps than any other cat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Such a diverse design hints at the ability these animals have to gain dominance over their environment and maneuver in areas virtually inaccessible to other creatures of the wild. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">***As Cougar is sure-footed atop their canyon and desert perches, so is the <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">two-legged beside whom Cougar strides, certain of his/her approach to life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Much like their Totem Spirit, the human counterpart will exude an aura of quiet strength that will make an impression upon others. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The impression made will almost always be one of respect and/or admiration, though the Cougar Soul seems to elicit extreme responses in others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>While some peers encountered taking an instant liking to the Cougar individual, while others will feel immediately threatened by the strong presence and hence an immediate and vehement dislike may ensue. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yet all who come to know the individual beside whom Mountain Lion journeys will tend to agree that these are souls that stand firm in their beliefs and convictions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>These are the sort of people who appear to have a moral fiber made of bedrock as they will seldom waver or be badgered from their beliefs. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Although their moral/spiritual beliefs may not necessarily be “traditional,” they will have a set of self-imposed code of ethics and morality that they will stand firmly behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>These granite philosophies are part of what makes these individuals so highly trusted by friends, family and those who know the strength of character the Cougar soul exhibits. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Conversely, there will be an equal number of detractors that would love nothing more than to see Mountain Lion tumult from a position of great height, as perhaps their own honesty and conviction pales in comparison to the Cougar’s lofty spirituality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Such individuals who are operating from a point of insecurity deeply rooted in a unintegrated Personality Center, will tend to project their own unresolved issues off onto the Cougar soul, rather than examine where they may improve and enrich their own lives by living in closer accordance with their own belief system. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When challenged on their morals or beliefs, the Cougar individual will <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">become much like the Mountain Lion defending his/her territory, and an ordinarily placid two-legged can come out with fangs bared when backed into a corner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Such attacks on their beliefs are capable of cutting right to the core of the Cougar soul, as these are honorable people that do their upmost to be trustworthy, dependable and honest. If a two-legged with Cougar as a Totem is operating from the Shadow or ~Contrary Medicine,~ there may exist a tendency to be dogmatic in their practices or beliefs, holding very little patience for philosophy or belief systems different from their own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Yet this is rare, as most Mountain Lion’s respect the “spiritual territories” of others almost as much as they guard their own right to think and believe as they see fit. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For the two-legged operating from the Higher Octave of Cougar Medicine, the men are the knights in shining armor of eras long past that live and defend the values of trust, honesty, faithfulness and honor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The female Cougars are the ~Earth Mothers~ that exude an aura of Oneness with the All and a deep reverence for the environment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>In both the male and female, a profound connection and respect for the ancient customs and traditions of indigenous people will be felt and expressed, though they themselves may not have been born with Native American blood and remind Others of the importance of respect for the Wisdom of the Elders.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">**~Balance<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As previously stated, the Cougar is the top cat when it comes to leaps of distance and height.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>This is due to both the strong leg muscles these felines possess, as well as the balancing weight of their tails. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Most often, the Mountain Lion (true to one of its names) dwells atop lofty perches in mountains and canyons, as well as high desert mesas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Such heights as these animals dwell requires sure-footedness and grace of movement, and herein their long and thick tails are employed to assist with balance as is required of those who exist in such precarious terrain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Acting as a highly effective counterbalance, the Cougar’s tail assists in steadying them as they walk along the narrow pathways and crevices etched from the granite and sandstone cliffs in which these beautiful creature beings call home. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">***For the two-legged with Cougar as a Primary Totem, the keyword of <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Balance becomes crucial in integrating a ~holistic~ Mind/Body &amp; Spirit approach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Although these individuals are by nature very sensual and “earthy” types (and as such there will be an emphasis on their physical ~Self~), they are also keenly aware of the needs of the mind and soul as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>If the Cougar Soul is in good physical shape yet is not developing his/her spiritual side, or conversely, if the one beside whom Mountain Lion stalks is involved in spiritual learning and growth but they don’t exercise their body or mind, the unbalance will be more keenly felt than it would be for other individuals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The result is that there will be much inner turmoil and stress with the questioning of “what is missing in my life?” becoming a predominant pondering. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The best form of physical exercise for the Cougar individual would be one that takes into consideration the Whole Self (again, Mind/Body and Spirit).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>An excellent example of such well targeted exercise for the Mountain Lion, would be Yoga, or perhaps Ti-chi, as these are both forms of exercise that employ All levels of the Self . . . the body is in movement, the energy centers are being stimulated and aligned, and the mind is in deep focus or meditation. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you are a Cougar Soul and are currently feeling “out of alignment,” pay attention to this feeling and heed it, for this is precisely what is occurring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Stop and take an honest evaluation of your life and your approach to this Journey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>What are you neglecting, or what areas of your life and expression are you over-indulging in?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Because Balance is such a key for you, it is crucial for your development that you become aware of your keen need for a WHOLE approach to life. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Are there certain individuals that are draining you of your energy, freedom or right to express yourself in a healthy and meaningful manner?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>If so, then those relationships need to also be evaluated in detached honesty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Because of your powerful, yet unassuming nature, there will be those that will seek to undermine your confidence and balance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>If this is the case, confrontation, restructuring of relationships or even some “endings” may be in order. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The art of Balancing your life ought to be approached in stages however, as it is also quite characteristic of the Mountain Lion individual to immediately leap into action and attempt to take on too much at once.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The key here is moderate and progressive steps forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>No matter how long the journey takes, and regardless of the occasional step or two “backward,” so long as more movement is made forward than back, the Journey is being walked and the goal is drawing ever nearer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Remember, we all arrive exactly where we need to be, exactly when we need to be there.*** <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">**~Messenger between Humans &amp; The Divine Beings <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Native American lore holds the Cougar as the champion of the two-legged who presents the humans “case” to the ~One Above.~ Acting as the emissary on behalf of we of the two-leggeds, Cougar asks for forgiveness for our follies and misbehavers while carrying messages between human and the Divine. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Because Humans are capable of intentional and unprovoked violence, spite, hatred and other emotions and behaviors not witnessed in the Creature Beings, the task of emissary for Cougar can be a challenging one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>He/she must find the Light at the center of the darkness, the beauty and grace that lives beyond the sometimes tangled core of the human personality center. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For his faithful guidance and support of we humans, he is revered amongst many tribes, and given thanks for acting on our behalf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>His belief in us a faith that may best be reciprocated in acts of kindness to All Life, compassion and embracing in understanding the surface and transitory ~differences~ of spiritual beliefs, race or economic background of our fellow two-leggeds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>In this manner, we show our thankfulness for his faith and trust in us. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">***Cougar Spirit will travel beside a two-legged who possesses a keen insight and perception.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>This insight may surface via an ~extra-sensory-perception,~ or it may firmly rooted in a more ~practical~ understanding of the human psyche and subconscious mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Both mediums and psychotherapists are often found with Cougar as a Primary Animal Ally. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Mountain Lion Soul will often be a bridge of understanding between <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">two diametrically opposed individuals, factions or groups as theirs is the Medicine of Emissary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>As such, others will often turn to them for their non-partial perspective as the Cougar individual is quite capable of seeing all sides of any given situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Then, when he/she becomes connected with a cause or belief, they make excellent, out-spoken proponents of such a cause and hence are outstanding spokespersons for a variety of ventures which capture their attention. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">While such Medicine brings the Gift of harmony between opposites, the individual with Cougar as a Totem will often find him/herself in the middle of an argument, attempting to bring understanding and equilibrium to both “sides.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>This is a beautiful trait when it is the Cougar’s conscious choice to become involved, yet the challenge is that the two-legged beside whom Mountain Lion walks may often find themselves immersed without a conscious decision to do so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Friends, family even strangers may take advantage of their inherent drive to be a mediator, and in those moments, the Cougar Soul may suddenly find themselves the target of attack from either side, becoming the “middle person” in an entirely uncomfortable sense of the word! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">By establishing clear boundaries and guidelines with Others as to when and by how much, they are willing to act as a “go between,” the Cougar individual is fulfilling his/her principle Medicine of Messenger without falling victim to the unresolved issues and grievances of Others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>As the Cougar grows from cub to adult (spiritually/metaphorically speaking), the lessons learned in defining boundaries assists as they fulfill their Medicine of Messenger and teach Others the power of understanding and harmony.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">***From:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span><a href="http://wolfs_moon.tripod.com/cougartotem.html"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">http://wolfs_moon.tripod.com/cougartotem.html</span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></span></div><br /><span lang="">PLEASE PRAY FOR: <br /></span><br /><span lang=""><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"></div><br />Chief Strong Horse...health <br />Tony Cricket...health <br />Bob C....health and healing <br />Bobbie C...health and strength <br />Theresa...health and healing <br />Sarah Spirit...health, healing, wisdom and strength <br />Delitris...strength, wisdom and healing <br />Denika...strength, wisdom and healing <br />Melissa...strength, wisdom and healing <br />Savanna...strength, wisdom and healing <br />Leonard Peltier...spiritual strength and health <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"></div><br />Pray for all that are incarcerated that they find peace and a new way. <br />Pray for wisdom for our Spiritual Leaders so they can help others find their way <br />Pray for our troops fighting for our freedom <br />Pray for UTAN... to keep us strong and always together <br />Pray for all Clan Mothers and Chiefs...to show the right way and to lead with strength and wisdom.<br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;">Our Spiritual Leaders and </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;">All our ancestors and relations</div></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">RECIPES:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>(thanks Barbara)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">The following 2 recipes are from the Sept 2011 Woman's Day Magazine</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Quick Sausage, White Bean and Spinach Stew</span></b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Total Time: 30 Min.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">1 Tbsp. olive oil</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">12 oz. fully cooked Italian chicken sausage, sliced 1/4 in. thick</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">1/2 cup dry white wine</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">1 32-oz. container low-sodium chicken broth</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">4 oz. ditalini or other soup pasta (about 1 cup)</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">1 15.5 oz. can cannellini or other white beans, rinsed</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Black pepper</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">1 10 oz. bag spinach, thick stems removed</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">1 oz. Parmesean, grated (about 1/4 cup)</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the sausage to a plate.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">2. Add the garlic to the pan and cook, stirring, for 1 minute (do not let it brown). Add the wine and simmer, scraping up any brown bits, for 1 minute.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">3. Add the broth and pasta and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until the pasta is just tender, 8 to 10 minutes.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">4. Add the beans, sausage and 1/4 tsp. pepper and cook until heated through, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and add the spinach, stirring gently until it begins to wilt. Serve with the Parmesean.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Serves 4. Per Serving: 429 CAL., 15 G FAT (4G SAT FAT), 76 MG CHOL, 1,188 MG SOD, 30 G PRO, 42 G CAR, 6 G FIBER</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">~<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>~<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>~<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>~<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Grilled Sausages with Marinated Peppers and Onions</span></b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Total Time; 20 Minutes</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">2 Tbsp fresh lime juice</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">1 Tbsp olive oil</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">1 tsp honey</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Kosher salt and pepper</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">1 large red bell pepper, thinly sliced</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">1 small red onion, thinly sliced</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">4 links Italian sausage</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">1 small Italian bread, cut into 4 pieces and split</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Potato chips, for serving (optional)</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">1. Heat grill or a grill pan to medium-high.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">2. In a large bowl, whisk together the lime juice, oil, honey, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Add the bell pepper and onion and let sit, tossing occasionally, for 10 minutes.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">3. Meanwhile, grill the sausages, turning occasionally, until charred and cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes. If desired, grill the bread until lightly charred, about 1 minute.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">4. Serve the sausages in the bread and top with peppers and onions. Serve with potato chips, if desired.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Serves 4. Per Serving: 455 CAL, 24 G FAT (8 G SAT FAT), 33 MG CHOL, 1,262 MG SOD, 19 G PRO, 42 G CAR, 3 G FIBER </span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 24pt; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">Judge tosses Sioux lawsuit over Black Hills money<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 18pt;">Tribes want land back instead of compensation</span></b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">BY CHET BROKAW Associated Press <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">11:35 p.m. CDT, August 8, 2011<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">PIERRE— <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Individual members of the Sioux tribes cannot persist with a lawsuit seeking a share of hundreds of millions of dollars awarded in old court cases for the improper seizure of the Black Hills and other land more than a century ago, a federal judge has ruled.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">In a ruling issued Thursday, U.S. District Judge Lawrence Piersol dismissed a lawsuit filed by 19 members of Sioux tribes. He said individual tribal members have no legal standing to seek the money because it was awarded to eight tribes, and prior court decisions have found that individual American Indians do not have a right to tribal property or a claim to a share of money from the sale of tribal land.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">The Sioux tribes have refused to accept money awarded for the Black Hills in a 1980 U.S. Supreme Court decision, and instead have sought the return of the land, Piersol noted. The lawsuit seeking payments for individual tribal members could not continue without the participation of the tribes, but they have refused to give up their immunity to being sued, he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">‘‘That difference of position is an internal tribal matter into which the federal courts cannot intrude,’’ Piersol wrote.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">A lawyer representing the individual tribal members who filed the lawsuit did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Terry Pechota of Rapid City, a lawyer representing the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, said the tribes welcome the decision because any distribution of money from the 1980 court case would weaken the tribes’ efforts to regain land in the Black Hills. The Rosebud Sioux filed documents in the lawsuit stating it seeks the return of land and rejects any monetary settlement.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">‘‘The consensus is, the tribes want this land back,’’ Pechota said Monday.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Land was never for sale<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">The dispute is more than 130 years old.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">In an 1868 treaty, the U.S. government agreed that a huge area west of the Missouri River would be set aside for use by the Sioux. After gold was discovered in the Black Hills, miners and other fortune-seekers flocked to western South Dakota. That led to military battles that culminated in George Custer’s defeat at the Little Big Horn in 1876.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">When the Sioux refused to ratify a new treaty giving up the Black Hills, Congress passed a law taking the land in 1877.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">The U.S. Supreme Court in 1980 upheld a lower court ruling that awarded eight Sioux tribes $106 million in compensation, the 1877 value of $17.5 million plus interest. The nation’s highest court said the government had to pay for taking the tribal property, and Piersol said that award has now grown to $650 million or more.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">All the Sioux tribes have refused to take the money, with tribal officials and others saying the Black Hills are not for sale.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Individual remedy<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">The lawsuit by the individual tribal members also sought distribution of a smaller amount of money awarded for land taken in the 1868 treaty. Filed two years ago, the lawsuit argued that because the court system cannot return the land to the Sioux, the only remedy is to distribute money to individuals.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Piersol said federal law provides that no money from the Black Hills case can be distributed until Congress appropriates <a href="http://www.aberdeennews.com/news/aan-sd-judge-tosses-sioux-lawsuit-over-black-hills-money-20110808%2C0%2C6996892.story"><span style="color: blue;">funds</span></a> and federal officials agree with the tribes on a distribution plan. Congress has not provided money and all eight tribes have passed resolutions opposing distribution of the money.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">The return of any land is up to Congress, the judge said.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">‘‘The fact remains that resolution by the courts is at an end. If there is to be any result other than the current stalemate, then it must come from tribal government and the Congress of <a href="http://www.aberdeennews.com/news/aan-sd-judge-tosses-sioux-lawsuit-over-black-hills-money-20110808%2C0%2C6996892.story"><span style="color: blue;">the United </span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div style="border-color: currentColor currentColor windowtext; border-style: none none dashed; border-width: medium medium 1pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: dashed windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-border-bottom-alt: dashed windowtext .75pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">The eight tribes listed in the lawsuit were the Crow Creek Sioux, Cheyenne River Sioux, Standing Rock Sioux, Lower Brule Sioux, Rosebud Sioux, Oglala Sioux, Fort Peck Sioux and Santee Sioux.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-border-bottom-alt: dashed windowtext .75pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; mso-pagination: none; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></div></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Spirits Cry Through His Writings, </span></b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;AR DECODE&quot;; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;AR DECODE&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"> <v:formulas> <v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"> <v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"> <v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"> <v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"> </v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:formulas> <v:path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"> <o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"> </o:lock></v:path></v:stroke></v:shapetype><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;AR DECODE&quot;; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;AR DECODE&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"> <v:formulas> <v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"> <v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"> <v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"> <v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"> </v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:formulas> <v:path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"> <o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"> </o:lock></v:path></v:stroke></v:shapetype></span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LWbDHXictrI/TkRfPyI49JI/AAAAAAAAABk/92-f3uGT7kE/s1600/image0-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LWbDHXictrI/TkRfPyI49JI/AAAAAAAAABk/92-f3uGT7kE/s320/image0-1.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;AR DECODE&quot;; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;AR DECODE&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;AR DECODE&quot;; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;AR DECODE&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"><v:stroke joinstyle="miter"><v:path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"><o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Leonard Peltier</span></o:lock></v:path></v:stroke></v:shapetype></span></span><br /><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;AR DECODE&quot;; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;AR DECODE&quot;;"><v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"> <v:formulas> <v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"> <v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"> <v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"> <v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"> </v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:formulas> <v:path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"> <o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"> </o:lock></v:path></v:stroke></v:shapetype><v:shape id="_x0000_i1025" style="height: 82.5pt; width: 105pt;" type="#_x0000_t75"> <v:imagedata o:title="" src="file:///C:\Users\Shiakoda\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.png"> </v:imagedata></v:shape></span><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">This review is from: Prison Writings: My Life Is My Sun Dance (Paperback)</span></b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">"Prison Writings", by Leonard Peltier, is quite an eye-opener. This political prisoner maintains his innocence and demonstrates it through his heart and compassion. At times, each chapter appears to be a stream of consciousness dependent on his mood (he wrote it in prison where he still remains), but he always evaluated his mood and came back full circle and has come to terms that he may never leave but that his hope in humanity might help lift him and thousands of others wrongfully imprisoned.</span></b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">His words have compelled me to do further research and there are many related books, articles and even a documentary film by Robert Redford titled "Incident at Oglala: The Leonard Peltier Story". I encourage everyone to read it and watch the film available through rental or purchase.</span></b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Whether you believe in his innocence or not is not the point. The point is that our current system remains flawed despite the cold hearts that are too scared to take a serious look into their conscience.</span></b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;">Leonard Peltier has definitely changed my once hardened heart. I am still a cynic and angry often, but thinking about his struggles through unfair justice keeps me focused. It is an easy read if you don't mind the harsh realities of our justice system, or lack thereof!</span></b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">"<i>Mitakuye Oyasin!"</i> Learn this meaning from his book - it will serve you well in your life.</span></b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://tinyurl.com/3danslb"><span style="color: blue;">http://tinyurl.com/3danslb</span></a></span></b><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>to order his book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>A 'must' read.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once again, sorry for this being late.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>:&gt;(<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>What can I say 'Life Happens'!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>:&gt;)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Be good, stay healthy, keep focused, above all...keep praying.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Blessings always<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Shiakoda Autumn Wolf Moon Qkalokqua<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">(better known as 'Shi'<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>(shy)..)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br /></div><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Until next month.<o:p></o:p></span></span>Shiakoda Autumn Wolf Moon Q.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04821100742943607490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749857024160092168.post-34132406349682919772011-07-07T10:35:00.000-07:002011-07-07T17:30:48.107-07:00&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Metis Nation...Wolf Spirit newsletter<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; July 2011<br />*~~~~~~~~~~&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; *~~~~~~~~~~&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; *~~~~~~~~~~&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; *~~~~~~~~~~<br />Fourth of July weekend is here and I hope you are keeping safe as you celebrate.&nbsp; Please supervise fireworks and keep them away from people as you light them.&nbsp; Above all....do not drink and drive!!!&nbsp; <br />Eat plenty, sit back and relax.&nbsp; Enjoy the holiday!!!&nbsp; Winter will be here sooner than you think!!! ;&gt;)&nbsp; <br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />NEWS:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />~~~~~~~~~~~<br />Santa Clara Pueblo declares emergency as fire slams reservation<br />Friday, July 1, 2011<br /><br />Santa Clara Pueblo in New Mexico declared an emergency on Thursday as the growing Las Conchas Fire hit the reservation. <br /><br />The fire has already burned 6,000 acres on the reservation, including sacred sites, gathering areas and forest resources. Tribal leaders are worried that crews are focusing too much on protecting Los Alamos National Laboratory and communities near the facility. <br /><br />“We are devastated to witness the destruction of our precious homeland,” Gov. Walter Dasheno said in a statement, according to news reports. <br /><br />"This is a fire like we've never seen before," Dasheno told the Associated Press. <br /><br />The fire has burned over 100,000 acres, making it the largest in state history. The Cerro Grande Fire also caused major damage to the reservation. <br /><br />“This is the fourth fire that has impacted our homelands and all of them have begun outside our reservation. Santa Clara alone cannot bear the extreme costs to help Mother Nature restore herself,” Dasheno said in the statement. <br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />Bill John Baker 'certified' as winner of Cherokee Nation chief race<br />Friday, July 1, 2011<br /><br />The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma has certified Bill John Baker as the winner of the principal chief's race. <br />The tribe's election commission conducted a recount of the ballots. Baker defeated incumbent Chad Smith by 266 votes. <br /><br />“I truly want to thank everyone for praying, for supporting me, who made calls and knocked on doors,” Baker said after the election commission certified the results, The Tulsa World reported. “Now it’s about the business of running the nation.” <br /><br />The certified results vary from the "unofficial" and "official" tallies that were released earlier this week. The unofficial count put Baker ahead by 11 votes while the official count gave Smith the win by 7 votes. <br /><br />“Tonight’s recount totals are perplexing," Smith said in a statement. "The No. 1 question is how did I lose 262 votes while my opponent gained 11. We have not gotten an explanation from the Election Commission about these vanishing votes.” <br /><br />Smith apparently intends to mount an appeal. <br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />Man punished for murdering brother of former Yaqui chairwoman<br />Friday, July 1, 2011<br /><br />An Arizona man faces was sentenced to 17 1/2 years for murdering the brother of the former chairwoman of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe<br /><br />Gerardo Benito Ramirez, 21, pleaded guilty to a second-degree murder charge. He admitted he shot and killed Gilbert Frias, 32, on New Year's Day in 2007. <br /><br />Federal prosecutors said Ramirez fired into a crowd after a party. He apparently didn't target Frias. <br /><br />Herminia Frias was serving as chairwoman of the tribe at the time of the incident. She was the first woman to lead the tribe. <br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />A Precedent for Native Americans' Religious Freedom in Washington Prisons<br />By Gabriel S. Galanda<br />published Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at 4:09 PM<br /><br />***Recently, the Washington Department of Corrections and Native American advocates negotiated a solution to a state gaffe that violated the rights of Native Americans to practice their religion in prison.*** <br /><br />Washington state has never been capable of grasping Indian religion or spirituality. The Boldt litigation now continues toward its fifth decade. The state Department of Transportation graving yard fiasco at Tse-Whit-zen Village in Port Angeles is a not-too-distant memory. Counties still prosecute Indians for hunting in ancestral areas.<br /><br />Nontribal society and government are innately unable to understand, let alone accept, Indian spiritual practices and sacred places. They just don't or can't get it.<br /><br />Thankfully, this story did not end there or also result in state-tribal dispute. Instead, trust and faith prevailed.<br />From DOC headquarters, a religious programs manager outlawed tribal sacred medicines, including tobacco, sage, sweetgrass and lavender. He barred fry bread and salmon, preventing the prisoners from traditionally breaking four-day fasts during Change of Seasons rituals. He scaled back Sunday sweat-lodge ceremonies — akin to canceling Catholic masses. He altered what an inmate could store in his sacred items shoebox, causing feather fans and beadwork to be disrespected by corrections officers.<br /><br />Consequently, the attitude of officers toward native prisoners also changed to passive aggression, if not outright disdain — resulting in confrontation during tribal ceremonies and the desecration of sweat-lodge grounds.<br /><br />A year later, the DOC has restored traditional tribal medicines, foods, patrimony and ceremonies, and related protections, though attitudinal change in each state prison is still needed for incarcerated Indians to worship without discrimination or repercussion.<br /><br />On June 9, Corrections Secretary Eldon Vail signed various Indian religious-freedom reforms into agency policy — and law — before Gov. Chris Gregoire and tribal leaders. That coincided with the agency's partnership with United Indians of All Tribes Foundation to facilitate tribal religious services statewide. <br /><br />Remarkably, the state not only corrected its gaffe, but also embraced the notion of Indian self-determination as a solution.<br /><br />The unexpected turnaround began, quite surprisingly, with an apology. Last summer after eight tribes wrote the governor decrying the discriminatory practices, Vail met with tribal leaders. Instead of blaming the state budget crisis or mincing First Amendment law, he simply said he was sorry. He and his agency made a mistake. He promised to fix that mistake.<br /><br />Vail's unequivocal apology and commitment were pivotal. How often do state Cabinet-level officials simply admit wrong and pledge to make things right? And how often do they do so in regard to tribal religion or spiritual practices? His mea culpa set the tone for genuine reform.<br /><br />To make right, the DOC worked with and deferred to tribal advocates on the reforms, and the agency's embrace of Indian self-determination is profound, if not unprecedented.<br /><br />Nez Percé Indian law professor Doug Nash provided historical perspective at a recent Seattle University Law School forum. In 40 years of representing Northwest tribes, frequently against state government, he could not recall another situation in which tribal and state leaders resolved their differences with an apology followed by a concerted joint effort to fix the situation — in other words, not via federal or state court litigation catalyzed by discord.<br /><br />Indeed, while state and tribal officials increasingly negotiate resolution to regulatory and economic disagreements, they often remain diametrically opposed when tribes defend against the state's interference with traditional practices or sacred lands. Yet what prevailed here was faith toward the other; and on the part of the state, faith in the authenticity of the religious and spiritual beliefs espoused by Northwest tribal people.<br />So this story goes: The state erred. A courageous state leader apologized. Tribal leaders accepted his apology. They took each other on faith and rectified the situation. History was made. A precedent was set.<br /><br />The circle, as tribal folks say, is complete.<br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />San Manuel tribe aids Montana Indian flood victims<br />10:00 PM PDT on Wednesday, June 29, 2011<br />Submitted to The Press-Enterprise<br /><br />The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians has made a $200,000 charitable contribution to the American Red Cross&nbsp; of Montana for its ongoing relief efforts to assist American Indian communities that have been directly affected by late spring flooding along the Little Bighorn and Missouri Rivers.<br /><br />Initially, damage affecting the Crow Indian Reservation grew to include the Fort Belknap Indian Community and Rocky Boy and Fort Peck Indian Reservations. In response, the American Red Cross of Montana was called to action to provide emergency relief through shelter operations, mass care and feeding. They remain ready to assist all who need help in the coming weeks.<br /><br />San Manuel's contribution is intended to support recovery and cleanup efforts, which continue to be hampered by a limited availability of funds and the potential for more flooding as winter snows melt.<br /><br />In the near term, funds will be used to secure ongoing shelter and the necessities of daily living for families displaced from homes.<br /><br />"San Manuel recognizes that our brothers and sisters in Montana are facing a difficult period of recovery and want them to know that we stand by them through this process," said San Manuel Chairman James C. Ramos. "We are grateful for our ongoing partnership with the American Red Cross. They have the capability, organization and expertise to mobilize quickly and effectively when disasters strike anywhere in the world."<br /><br />Within the last week, Red Cross focus has shifted to damage assessment and cleanup in rural areas, with 301 people qualifying for client assistance owing to insurmountable damage to homes.<br /><br />Also during this time, the Red Cross has distributed 2,544 cleanup and family kits to aid those able to restore homes to livability.<br /><br />SHELTER AND FOOD<br /><br />But the need for ongoing support remains, with hundreds of reservation homes badly damaged or destroyed by flooding, and many residents still displaced.<br /><br />Over the course of a five-week period, the American Red Cross of Montana lists 3,111 night stays for families and individuals affected by flooding. Also during this time, the organization counted 16,797 meals and 30,511 snacks served to help those in need of assistance meet basic needs.<br /><br />"At one point during the operation, we had 330 Crow people in our care under one roof, and were the largest Red Cross shelter in the national system during a year of nationwide storm devastation," said Rod Kopp, CEO of the American Red Cross of Montana. "We did, and still do, take that responsibility seriously and pledge to help people get back on the road of recovery and a renewed quality of life."<br /><br />San Manuel has a long history of working with the American Red Cross following natural disasters and emergencies in California and beyond.<br /><br />San Manuel has provided funds to the American Red Cross Inland Empire chapter to support southern California&nbsp; communities swept with wildfires in 2003 and 2007 and recently with floods near its San Bernardino area reservation in late 2010.<br /><br />In the same year, San Manuel contributed $1.7 million to the Red Cross Haitian earthquake relief and $320,000 to the organization to assist tribes in Nebraska , South Dakota and Arizona with their emergency relief efforts in response to 2010 winter storms.<br /><br />Residents in need of assistance are asked to call the American Red Cross at 1-800-ARC-MONT.<br /><br />Submitted by San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.<br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />The New York Times<br />June 28, 2011<br /><br />Mining and the CanyonThe Obama administration has extended for six months a 2009 moratorium on new uranium mining claims on one million acres around the Grand Canyon. This is good news; even better is the promise from Ken Salazar, the interior secretary, that he will soon recommend a 20-year ban on new claims in the region. That is the maximum allowed under the 1872 mining law. <br /><br />With uranium prices rising, the number of mining claims have jumped sharply over the last few years. There have been about 3,500 claims in the Grand Canyon-area alone. <br /><br />If developed, they would generate toxic wastes that would threaten the Colorado River — the source of drinking water for roughly 27 million people — the aquifer and the Grand Canyon ecosystem in general. <br />Mr. Salazar said he could not cancel valid existing claims, but there is likely to be little actual mining. The decision to “withdraw” the land from future claims creates new regulatory hurdles for existing claimants, who must demonstrate, among other things, that they had discovered actual mineral deposits before the 2009 moratorium. Only a handful have been able to do so. <br /><br />There have been the usual complaints from mining lobbyists and their Congressional allies. Representative Jeff Flake, a Republican from Arizona, has threatened to use the interior appropriations bill to block Mr. Salazar’s plan. The moratorium will have little effect on the country’s uranium supply, most of which comes from Wyoming and New Mexico. <br /><br />It will protect a treasured national park and the drinking water for millions of people. <br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />Wrongful death case against Pueblo casino heads to state court<br />Thursday, June 30, 2011 <br /><br />Santa Ana Pueblo in New Mexico will have to answer to a wrongful death lawsuit in state court. <br /><br />The tribe served liquor to two patrons at the Santa Ana Star Casino who became intoxicated and were killed in a single-car accident. Their family says the tribe is liable and the New Mexico Supreme Court agreed that the Class III gaming compact allows jurisdiction in state court. <br /><br />"“It’s the first time this issue came up in the context of a dramshop claim against a casino," plaintiff’s attorney David Plotsky told The Albuquerque Journal. <br /><br />The Oklahoma courts have allowed similar lawsuits against tribal casinos. A similar case in Connecticut was settled before trial.&nbsp; <br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />Elderly woman killed in Wagner apartment fire<br />Posted: Jun 28, 2011&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />By Jake Iversen<br />&nbsp; <br />Woman Killed in Apartment Fire<br /><br />&nbsp;The charred remnants are the visible reminders of the fire that claimed the life of Magdalene Bohn who friends and family called "Hoppa."<br /><br />"The tribe and those in the housing authority our hearts go out to the family it's a very unfortunate thing that happened." Said Glenford Sully the tribal housing authority's Executive Director.<br /><br />Officials say the fire started sometime after Eight o'clock last night.<br /><br />A neighbor in the adjoining apartment was able to get out before the fire spread, but unfortunately Hoppa was not.<br /><br />Firefighters discovered Hoppa's body inside her home after they got the fire under control.<br /><br />Sully says Hoppa's family is coping but the loss is going to be felt throughout the community.<br /><br />"The person that passed away was an elder and our elders are getting down to where we don't have many of them left so this will be tough." Said Sully.<br /><br />Witnesses we spoke with say they only saw smoke coming from the building and inspectors believe that most of the fire was contained to the bedroom and at this time no cause has been determined.<br /><br />"At this point it's an ongoing investigation the Fire Marshall and ATF are in there right now and we don't know anything at this point on a cause." Said Sully.<br /><br />The family did not want to speak on camera but told us that Hoppa was well loved in the community and will be missed.<br /><br />A memorial wake services will be held Thursday and Friday at the Yankton Sioux Tribe gym in Wagner.<br /><br />A private funeral service and burial will be held at a later date.<br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />Charges filed over fatal shooting of Navajo Nation police officer<br />Wednesday, June 29, 2011<br /><br />Federal and tribal charges have been filed in connection with the fatal shooting of a Navajo Nation police officer. <br /><br />Johnson Bigman, 25, and Tyson Bigman, 21, are brothers. They pleaded not guilty in tribal court to charges of disorderly conduct, homicide, accomplice to aggravated assault and criminal nuisance for the death of Sergeant Darrell Curley. <br /><br />Separately, their father, Victor Bigman, 48, has been charged in federal court with first-degree murder. He is alleged to have shot and killed Curley. <br /><br />The incident began when the brothers were intoxicated and fighting, according to the tribe. Their mother called the police and Curley responded, along with another officer. <br /><br />The brothers resisted arrest, according to the tribe. That's when their father allegedly got involved in the altercation and when Curley was shot. <br /><br />The incident took place late Saturday night in Kaibeto, Arizona. <br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />White House announces new section for Indian Country issues<br />Tuesday, June 28, 2011<br /><br />The White House has created a new section on its website to promote Indian issues within the Obama administration. <br /><br />The section is called Winning the Future: President Obama and the Native American Community. Right now, it features posts and video from White House staff and other federal agencies. <br /><br />"At a recent White House listening session, tribal leaders asked for a centralized list of offices within the federal government that were responsible for serving Indian Country and upholding the federal trust responsibility," Charles Galbraith, a member of the Navajo Nation who serves as associate director in the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement. "Accordingly, the new White House webpage contains a Resources Tab designed to be a toolkit for tribal leaders that brings together over 25 different agencies and departments into one, navigable location." <br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />"Each day, whatever I am doing, I am always praying and thinking of God."&nbsp; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; -- Thomas Yellowtail, CROW&nbsp; <br /><br />Have you ever tried going through your day and carrying on a conversation with the Creator? Many of our Elders live in prayer. They talk to the Creator like the Creator is their best friend. It is easiest to do this if we pray in the morning and ask the Great Spirit to direct our thinking. When the Creator is involved in guiding our lives, we will have less stress, anxiety, and tension. Maybe this is something we would like to try today. "Oh, Creator, look at the Sun, how beautiful you have made it. Oh, look at this child, isn't she just beautiful! Well, Creator, I'm not sure how I should do this task, what do you think? This person is starting to irritate me; I need your help to redirect my thinking. Thanks for returning me to a peaceful mind." Remember, the Creator also has a sense of humor.&nbsp; <br /><br />Grandfather, Grandmother, let me walk in prayer.<br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />FUNNY’s:<br /><br />I'll Bet You Can't<br /><br />The IRS decides to audit Grandpa, and summons him to the IRS office. The IRS auditor was not surprised when Grandpa showed up with his attorney. <br /><br />The auditor said, "Well, sir, you have an extravagant lifestyle and no full-time employment, which you explain by saying that you win money gambling. I'm not sure the IRS finds that believable." <br /><br />"I'm a great gambler, and I can prove it," says Grandpa. "How about a demonstration?"<br /><br />The auditor thinks for a moment and says, "Okay. Go ahead."<br /><br />Grandpa says, "I'll bet you $1,000 that I can bite my own eye." <br /><br />The auditor thinks a moment and says, "It's a bet." <br /><br />Grandpa removes his glass eye and bites it. The auditor's jaw drops.<br /><br />Grandpa says, "Now, I'll bet you $2,000 that I can bite my other eye."<br /><br />Now the auditor can tell Grandpa isn't blind, so he takes the bet. Grandpa removes his dentures and bites his good eye. The stunned auditor now realizes he has wagered and lost $3,000, with Grandpa's attorney as a witness. He starts to get nervous.<br /><br />"Want to go double or nothing?" Grandpa asks. "I'll bet you $6,000 that I can stand on one side of your desk, and pee into that wastebasket on the other side, and never get a drop anywhere in between."<br /><br />The auditor, twice burned, is cautious now, but he looks carefully and decides there's no way this old guy could possibly manage that stunt, so he agrees again. <br /><br />Grandpa stands beside the desk and unzips his pants, but although he strains mightily, he can't make the stream reach the wastebasket on the other side. So he pretty much urinates all over the auditor's desk. The auditor leaps with joy, realizing that he has just turned a major loss into a huge win. But Grandpa's attorney moans and puts his head in his hands. <br /><br />"Are you okay?" the auditor asks. <br /><br />"Not really," says the attorney. "This morning, when Grandpa told me he'd been summoned for an audit, he bet me $25,000 that he could come in here and pee all over your desk and that you'd be happy about it."<br />#&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; #&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; #<br /><br /><br />HOW TO START A FIGHT <br /><br />One year, I decided to buy my mother-in-law a cemetery plot as <br />a Christmas gift... <br /><br />The next year, I didn't buy her a gift. <br /><br />When she asked me why, I replied, <br /><br />"Well, you still haven't used the gift I bought you last year!" <br /><br />And that's how the fight started..... <br />#&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; #&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; #<br /><br />I took my wife to a restaurant. <br /><br />The waiter, for some reason, took my order first. <br /><br />"I'll have the rump steak, rare, please." <br /><br />He said, "Aren't you worried about the mad cow?" <br /><br />"Nah, she can order for herself." <br /><br />And that's when the fight started..... <br />#&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; #&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; #<br /><br /><br />My wife and I were sitting at a table at her high school <br />reunion, and she kept staring at a drunken man swigging his <br />drink as he sat alone at a nearby table. <br /><br />I asked her, "Do you know him?" <br />"Yes", she sighed, <br /><br />"He's my old boyfriend. I understand he took to drinking <br />right after we split up those many years ago, and I hear he <br />hasn't been sober since." <br /><br />"My God!" I said, "Who would think a person could go on <br />celebrating that long?" <br /><br />And then the fight started... <br />#&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; #&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; #<br /><br />Saturday morning I got up early, quietly dressed, made my <br />lunch, and slipped quietly into the garage. I hooked up the <br />boat up to the van and proceeded to back out into a torrential <br />downpour. The wind was blowing 50mph, so I pulled back into the <br />garage, turned on the radio, and discovered that the weather <br />would be bad all day. <br /><br />I went back into the house, quietly undressed, and slipped back <br />into bed. I cuddled up to my wife's back; now with a different <br />anticipation, and whispered, "The weather out there is <br />terrible." <br /><br />My loving wife of 5 years replied, "And, can you believe my <br />stupid husband is out fishing in that?" <br /><br />And that's how the fight started... <br />#&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; #&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; #<br /><br />My wife was hinting about what she wanted for our upcoming <br />anniversary. <br /><br />She said, "I want something shiny that goes from 0 to 150 in <br />about 3 seconds." <br /><br />I bought her a bathroom scale. <br /><br />And then the fight started...... <br />#&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; #&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; #<br /><br />After retiring, I went to the Social Security office to apply <br />for Social Security. <br /><br />The woman behind the counter asked me for my driver's License to <br />verify my age. <br /><br />I looked in my pockets and realized I had left my wallet at <br />home. I told the woman that I was very sorry, but I would have <br />to go home and come back later. <br /><br />The woman said, 'Unbutton your shirt'. <br /><br />So I opened my shirt revealing my curly silver hair. <br /><br />She said, 'That silver hair on your chest is proof enough for <br />me' and she processed my Social Security application. <br /><br />When I got home, I excitedly told my wife about my experience at <br />the Social Security office. She said, 'You should have dropped <br />your pants. You might have gotten disability too.' <br /><br />And then the fight started... <br />#&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; #&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; #<br /><br />To&nbsp; Maintain A Healthy Level Of Insanity <br /><br />1..&nbsp; In&nbsp; the Memo Field Of All Your Checks, Write ' For Marijuana.<br /><br />2. Order&nbsp; a Diet Water whenever you go out to eat, with&nbsp; a serious face. <br /><br />3. Specify&nbsp; That Your Drive-through Order Is 'To&nbsp; Go'. <br /><br />4.&nbsp; Sing Along At&nbsp; The Opera. <br /><br />5. Five&nbsp; Days In Advance, Tell Your Friends You Can't Attend<br />Their Party&nbsp; Because You have a&nbsp; headache. <br /><br />6.&nbsp; When&nbsp; Leaving the Zoo, Start Running towards the Parking&nbsp; lot,<br />Yelling 'Run&nbsp; For Your Lives! They're Loose!'<br /><br />7. Tell&nbsp; Your Children Over Dinner, 'Due To The&nbsp; Economy,<br />We Are Going To Have To Let One Of You&nbsp; Go.' <br /><br />And&nbsp; The Final Way To&nbsp; Keep A Healthy Level Of Insanity <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />8. PICK UP A BOX&nbsp; OF CONDOMS AT THE PHARMACY,<br />GO TO THE COUNTER AND ASK WHERE THE&nbsp; FITTING ROOM&nbsp; IS. <br />#&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; #&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; #<br /><br />SOMETIMES<br /><br />Sometimes.... <br />when you cry... <br />no one sees your tears. <br /><br />Sometimes... <br />when you are in pain... <br />no one sees your hurt. <br /><br />Sometimes... <br />when you are worried... <br />no one sees your stress. <br />Sometimes.. <br />when you are happy... <br />no one sees your smile. <br />*<br />*<br />*<br />* <br />*<br />*<br />But FART !! just ONE friggin' time..... <br />And everybody knows!! <br /><br />Gotcha!!&nbsp; You thought this was going to be one of those heart-touching stories....!!!<br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />I finally figured out why I have this belly. As I was washing my hair in the shower this morning, I took time to read my shampoo bottle. I am in shock! The shampoo I use in the shower that runs down my entire body says "for extra volume and body!" Seriously, why have I not noticed this before? Tomorrow I am going to start using "Dawn" dish soap! It says right on the bottle, "dissolves fat that is otherwise difficult to remove". It pays to read the warning labels my friends!<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />It is time to stand together. The Time has come to see we are all one family. Time to come together in peace. As Chief Arvol Looking Horse says, " "Each of us is put here in this time and this place to personally decide the future of humankind. Did you think you were put here for something less?" <br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />RECIPES:<br /><br />ANNIE'S DILLY BEANS <br /><br />Items Needed:<br />Seal-able canning jars: 1 1/2 pint<br />INGREDIENTS:<br />String beans<br />Garlic<br />Whole dried chili peppers<br />Celery seed<br />Fresh dill (flowering tops preferably)<br />White distilled vinegar<br />Salt <br />Water<br /><br />Directions:<br />1. Into each jar, place 1 clove of garlic, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 whole red chili pepper, 1/4 teaspoon of celery seed, and a flowering dill top. Then fill the jar with beans standing on end, stuffing them as tightly as you can into the jar.<br />2. For each jar you have filled, measure 1 cup of vinegar and 1 cup of water. Boil the vinegar-water mixture, then pour it into the jars over the beans and spices, to 1/2 inch from the top of the jar.<br />3. Seal the jars and place them in a large pot of boiling water for a 10-minute heat processing. Allow 6 weeks for the flavors to meld, then open jars and savor! Store for years without refrigeration. <br />Canning jars are made from soda-lime glass, and were once in "Ball Blue", green, milk glass, black and amber so as to prevent light from diminishing the nutritional value and freshness. Avid collectors have been known to spend as much as $30,000. for an antique jar! <br />#&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; #&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; #&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; #<br /><br />Eat This Sauce to Lower LDL Cholesterol<br />By RealAge <br /><br />To lower your LDL, dribble this sauce on pasta, hot sandwiches, and warm flatbreads: marinara.<br /><br />In a study, adults who had high cholesterol but were otherwise healthy were able to lower their LDL levels simply by eating lycopene-rich tomato products every day. <br /><br />You Say Tomato<br />In the study, both men and women consumed at least 25 milligrams of lycopene every day for several weeks. That's about as much lycopene as you'd find in a mere half-cup serving of tomato sauce. By the end of the study period, most people had knocked their LDL levels down about 10 percent -- which is the kind of improvement you'd expect to see in someone taking a statin medication for a similar amount of time. <br /><br />Researchers think that lycopene reduces cholesterol in a couple of different ways -- both by inhibiting the production of LDL and by breaking down this artery-clogging blood fat. <br /><br />Lovin' Lycopene<br /><br />Lycopene also helps protect LDL against oxidation. And that's a very good thing, because oxidized LDL spells trouble for blood vessels. When LDL oxidizes, it causes arterial inflammation -- red, unhealthy tissue in the artery where blood-flow-blocking plaques can more easily form. LDL also impairs the release of nitric oxide, a chemical that helps blood vessels relax. To get the beneficial amount of lycopene recommended in the study, you can add more tomato sauce to your day or enjoy a cup of tomato soup or tomato juice daily<br />#&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; #&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; #&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; #<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />Cracklin Bread<br />Ethnic, Native American<br /><br />Yield:&nbsp; 1 batch<br /><br />2 C cornmeal<br />1 cup cracklins (fried pork skin)<br />1 t salt<br />hot water<br /><br />Add enough hot water to make into dough and thick enought to shape into small loaves.&nbsp; Break cracklins into small pieces and add to dough.&nbsp; Bake in 350* oven for 45 minutes to an hour.<br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Brown Bread<br />Ethnic, Native American<br /><br />Yield: 1 batch<br /><br />2 cup flour<br />1/2 ts baking powder<br />1 ts salt<br />milk (enough to mix)<br /><br />Mix all ingredients.&nbsp; Divide the dough into parts and shape each into round pone about the size of your skillet and 1/8th of an inch thick.&nbsp; Fry the bread in about 1/4 inch hot cooking oil until golden brown on each side.&nbsp; Cut into wedges and serve hot.&nbsp; Delicious with butter, jams or other sweet spreads.<br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />"We must have respect and understanding for women and all female life on this Earth which bears the sacred gift of life." <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; -- Traditional Circle of Elders. ONONDAGA <br /><br /><br />At a gathering of Native Elders we were told that many men of today had lost their ability to look at the Woman in a sacred way. They said we were only looking at Her in a physical sense and had lost the ability to look at Her sacredness. They said the Woman has a powerful position in the Unseen World. She has the special ability to bring forth life. They told us to start showing Her respect and to look upon her in a sacred manner. We must start this today.<br /><br />Grandfather, show me how to see in a sacred way. <br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />Combine Indigenous and general public voter blocks. Walk together in support of change. Vote unanimously for freedom."<br />- Leonard Peltier<br /><br />Hello my friends and relations,<br /><br />I always try to come to you full of good spirit and vigor. But I cannot lie. There are days when the ugliness of my situation weighs me down. I swear I never thought this could happen. I never believed law enforcement and the government of this country would go so far for so long to keep their dirty laundry hidden away.<br /><br />Over the years, you my dedicated friends and believers have kept a vision of justice alive. That really is something special. Because of you, we have learned of hidden evidence, coerced testimony, and outright lies by the FBI and prosecutors. Because of you we have been able to uncover thousands of documents the government wanted to stay secret. And yet they have been able to squirrel away thousands more pages of their biggest secrets about me, about the theft of Indian land, their motives behind murder, and their operations to silence people like me. I am living proof that my case is about squashing Indian rights and Indian sovereignty, otherwise why would I be serving a sentence so much longer than what is normal for my so-called conviction?<br /><br />Those that believe in law and order should be the loudest voices calling for my release! The fact is the day I walk free is the day they are forced to deal with my innocence, and they are so very afraid of doing just that! <br /><br />No matter what they say, the dirty little secret underneath all of this is America’s fear and loathing of Indian people. In over five hundred years, they have not yet learned how to deal honorably with us.<br /><br />The burden is great sometimes, but the encouragement I get from you helps me to keep my faith that freedom will one day come my way. No matter what happens, on the day I draw my last breath I will be proud to have taken my place alongside my ancestors, knowing I did all I could do, and gave all I could for my people. For those FBI agents and prosecutors in my case, their last moments will include shame.<br /><br />So remember all of you my friends and relations, this case is about much more than me. If you believe in truth, justice, honor, freedom, all of what is supposed to make America great, then help me open the door to my release. If you believe in Indian sovereignty, join my cause and in doing so help yourself. Take your place in the struggle and do all you can to eradicate injustice.<br /><br />Thank you for your time. Thank you for your consideration. Thank you for your work. Thank you for your love.<br /><br />Aho! Mitakuye Oyasin!<br />Doksha,<br />Leonard Peltier<br /><br />(To help Leonard Peltier go to: <a href="http://www.whoisleonardpeltier.info/">http://www.whoisleonardpeltier.info/</a> )<br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />We can’t afford, now, to have these national borders. We can’t afford to have racism. We can’t afford apartheid. We cannot - it’s one of those luxuries that we can’t have anymore as human beings. We’ve got to think now, in real terms, for that seventh generation. And we’ve got to move in concert. We’ve got to sing the same song. We’ve got to have the same ceremony. We’ve got to get back to spiritual law if we are to survive.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; -Chief Oren Lyons<br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />"A young man asked his grandfather why life had to be so difficult sometimes. This is the old man's reply."<br /><br />"Grandfather says this: 'In life there is sadness as well as joy, losing as well as winning, falling as well as standing, hunger as well as plenty, bad as well as good. I do not say this to make you despair, but to teach you reality that life is a journey sometimes walked in light and sometimes walked in shadow.<br /><br />"Grandfather says this: 'You did not ask to be born, but you are here. You have weaknesses as well as strengths because in life there are two of everything. Within you is the will to win as well as the willingness to lose, the heart to feel compassion as well as the smallness to be arrogant. Within you is the way to face life as well as the fear to turn away from it. <br /><br />"Grandfather says this: 'Facing the storms of life, knowing loss, feeling sadness and heartache, and falling into the depths of grief can give you strength. You must stand up in the storms. You must face the wind and the cold and the darkness. When a storm blows it is not trying to knock you down, it is really trying to help you be strong. <br /><br />"Grandfather says this: 'Being strong means taking one more step towards the top of the hill, no matter how weary you may be. It means letting the tears flow through the grief; it means to keep looking for the answer though the darkness if despair is all around. It means to cling to hope for one more heartbeat, one more sunrise. Each step takes you closer to the top of the hill, closer to the light of the next sunrise, and the promise of a new day.<br /><br /><br />"Grandfather says this: 'The weakest step toward the top of the hill, toward sunrise, toward hope, is stronger than the fiercest storm."<br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />PLEASE PRAY FOR:<br /><br />Chief Strong Horse...health<br />Tony Cricket...health<br />Sue from Beacon Falls...health<br />Bob C...health and healing<br />Bobbie C...health and strength<br />Theresa...health and healing<br />Sarah Spirit...health, healing, wisdom and strength<br />Delitris...strength, wisdom and healing<br />Denika...strength, wisdom and healing<br />Melissa...strength, wisdom and healing<br />Savanna...strength, wisdom and healing<br />Leonard P...spiritual strength and healing<br /><br />Pray for all that are incarcerated that they find peace and a new way.<br />Pray for wisdom for our Spiritual Leaders so they can help others find their way.<br />Pray for out troops fighting for our freedom.<br />Pray for UTAN...to keep us strong and always together.<br />Pray for all Clan Mothers and Chiefs...to show the right way and to lead with strength and wisdom.<br />All our ancestors and relations.<br /><br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;CONNECTING WITH OUR NATURE SPIRIT GUIDES<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 'TURTLE &amp; TORTOISE'<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Messenger.......Shadow.......Journey.......Lifetime<br /><br /><br />Mother Earth...Longevity...Protection...Security...Persistence...Endurance...<br />Support... Contemplation...Awakening To Opportunities...<br /><br /><br />The 'Turtle' and the 'Tortoise'....symbols of Mother Earth, self-protection through non-violent defense, inner-knowledge and thought, and healing powers.<br /><br />The way to distinguish the small difference between the two, is mainly that the Turtle will live on land, as well as in and around water. The Tortoise is primarily a land animal. Both can teach us ancient wisdom and stability. <br /><br />They come to teach us to always return to the earth that which is equal of what we take, and to work together towards common goals.<br /><br />Turtle-Tortoise Medicine reminds us of the need to honor the Earth and to show gratefulness, nurturing and protecting the energy that Earth gives to us. Sometimes it's important to slow down our pace, and focus. <br /><br />Travel your own path in your own time.<br /><br />Since Turtle &amp; Tortoise live their lives so close and connected to the Earth, they can teach us to be 'grounded'...although being grounded does not mean being stuck in one place. Move cautiously and respectfully to achieve your goals.<br /><br />If you are sincerely dedicated and focused on something, it's not always important how fast or efficient you are, as eventually you will succeed.<br /><br />Because of Turtle &amp; Tortoise's ability to live for long periods of time and their slow metabolism, they are associated with longevity and the ability to teach us new perceptions about time and how we relate to it.<br /><br />They have amazing survival skills and acute hearing, and are very sensitive to vibrations. This Medicine can assist us in awakening our own senses, both physical and spiritual.<br /><br />The Turtle is fast to escape a threat and moves quickly through the water, whereas Tortoise is more adept at retreating into the safety and strength of it's own shell.<br /><br />If Turtle or Tortoise comes into your life, ask yourself: Are you not seeing, hearing, or feeling what you should? Are you, or those around you not using proper discrimination?<br /><br />When Turtle or Tortoise are flipped over, they have the ability to use strong head, neck, and leg muscles to right themselves. Their Medicine can teach us to use our own heads and knowledge to right ourselves when our world seems topsy-turvey or upside-down.<br /><br />Sometimes they will show up to help us at these difficult times, to lend us guidance and confidence.<br /><br />Is life becoming too hectic? Do we need to take more time for ourselves? Are we too busy to see what is really going on? Are we going too slow, and perhaps need to pick up the pace a little? Turtle and Tortoise can sometimes help us with the process of making these changes or decisions.<br /><br />If Turtle-Tortoise has come into your life, it's time to work on connections. Go inside your shell, and come back out when your ideas are ready to be expressed. Take your time about it, as too much, too soon can upset the balance.<br /><br />As Turtle and Tortoise cannot separate themselves from their shells, neither can we separate ourselves from our actions and interactions here on Earth. We must try to feel and understand our connection to Mother Earth, and the other people and creatures that we share it with.<br /><br />"Big-Turtle"...(A Wyandot-Huron Legend)<br /><br />Many years ago the world had two parts. Animals lived in the lower part, which was completely covered in water and had no land or soil. Above was the Sky World, where the sky people lived. The Sky World had lots of soil, with beautiful mountains and valleys. One day a girl from the Sky World went for a long walk and became very tired.<br /><br />"I'm so tired, I need to rest," she said. She sat down under the spreading branches of an apple tree and quickly fell asleep. Suddenly, there was a rumbling sound like thunder and the ground began to crack. A big hole opened up next to the apple tree.<br /><br />"What's happening?" screamed the frightened girl. She tried to move but it was too late. She and the tree slid through the hole and tumbled over and over towards the watery world below.<br /><br />"Help me! Help me!" screamed the girl. Luckily two swans were swimming below and saw the girl tumbling down from the sky. "Come on!" yelled one swan. "Let's catch her before she hits the water." "Okay!" yelled the other. The swans spread their wings together and caught the girl on their soft feather backs. "Whew! That was lucky," said the girl. "But what do I do now? I can't get back up to the Sky World and I can't stay on your backs forever."<br /><br />"We'll take you to Big Turtle," said the swans. "He knows everything." After hearing what happened, the Big Turtle called all the animals in the water world to a meeting.<br /><br />&nbsp;He told them an old story about soil being found deep under the water. "If we can get some of that soil, we can build an island on my back for you to live on," said the Big Turtle.<br /><br />"Sounds good to me," said the young girl.<br /><br />The Otter, Beaver and Muskrat started arguing over whom would dive for the soil. "I'll go," said the sleek Otter, brushing his glossy fur. "No! I'll go," said Beaver, slapping the water with his big flat tail. "I'm the best swimmer," said Muskrat "I'll go."<br /><br />"Aaaachooo!" sneezed the young girl." Guys, guys, would just one of you go. These swan feathers are getting up my nose and making me sneeze."<br /><br />"Sorry" said the swans.<br /><br />"That's alright," said the young Sky girl.<br /><br />Then Toskwaye the little Toad popped up out of the water. "I'll go. I can dive very deep," she said. The other animals started laughing and pointing at Toskwaye. "You! You're too small and ugly to help." Cried the others, laughing.<br /><br />"Be quiet!" said Big Turtle in a loud, stern voice. "Everyone is equal and everyone will have a chance to try". The sleek Otter smoothed his glossy fur, took a deep breath and slid into the water. He was gone for a long time before he came up gasping for air. "It was too deep," he said. "I couldn't dive that far."<br /><br />"Now it's my turn," said Beaver. He slapped the water with his tail as he disappeared. After a long time he came to the surface again. "It's too far" he gasped. "No one can dive that deep." Muskrat tried next and failed.<br /><br />"Aaaachoo!" sneezed the young girl. "This is not looking good."<br /><br />"Now it's my turn," said little Toskwaye the Toad. She took a deep breath and jumped into the water. She was gone a very long time and everyone thought they wouldn't see her again.<br /><br />Suddenly Otter pointed at the water, shouting, and "Look, look bubbles!" Toskwaye's small, ugly face appeared through the water. She spat a few grains of soil onto the Big Turtle's back, then fell back into the water - dead.<br /><br />The Turtle ordered the others to rub the soil grains and spread them around on his shell. The grains grew and grew, until a large island was formed - big enough for the girl to live on. It grew into our world, as we know it today. And the descendants of the Sky girl became the Earth's people.<br /><br />Today, some people say the whole world still rests on Big Turtles back. When he gets tired and changes his position, we have earthquakes.<br /><br />Toad has not been forgotten either. American native Indians call her "Mashutaha", which means 'Our Grandmother'. No one is allowed to harm her.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Summer-Blessings,<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 'Dancing-Night-Crow'<br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />In our medicine way, we encourage people to first start working with the healing spirit of Creator, which is the love of God. We believe that everyone is born with the spirit of Creator and that this power is what keeps people alive. We also believe that no matter how much anger or poison people may have in their bodies, Creator loves them so much that they're still living in the circle and they can be healed. That's why we hold all things sacred.<br /><br />Once people learn to trust in the love of Creator and to communicate with the healing power that comes directly from the Creator, then they're usually ready to start working with an Earth power, such as an animal or plant power. Then they can see clearly that the love they carry is the same love the trees and the animals have inside them; their soul is the same. <br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />KITCHEN MEDICINE:<br /><br />~MARIJUANA <br />AKA: weed, cannibus, pot , dope etc. <br />RX: smoked dried, added to salads fresh&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />The much debated and scolded Cannabis, marijuana has shown positive effects on cancer, aids and glaucoma. So effective on aids patients from its ability to increase a persons appetite as well as relieving nausea allowing patients to regain weight. Marijuana reportedly helps glaucoma patients by reducing ocular pressure which can cause damage to the eye. It is the most effective treatment for chronic nausea. It is not physically addictive. <br />*****Warnings: Coughing, asthma, upper respiratory problems, difficulty with short term memory loss, racing heart, agitation, confusion, paranoia, possible psychological dependence. <br />#&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; #&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; #<br /><br />~MARJORAM <br />AKA: knotted marjoram <br />RX: sprinkle dried powdered herb on cold sores or genital herpes, infusion or tincture for its stomach soothing potential <br /><br />An excellent digestive aid and herpes fighter, this is one of the most confused herbs on the planet. The oregano on your spice rack may be marjoram! All marjoram spices are called oregano but only a few of the fifty kinds are ever called marjoram. <br />*****Warnings: none <br />#&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; #&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; #<br /><br />~MINT <br />AKA: numerous kinds of mint <br />RX: peppermint oil for wounds, burns etc., infusion of any dried mint for decongestant, tincture <br /><br />The after dinner mint soothes the stomach. Peppermint produces menthol. Menthol is a key anesthetic (eg. BEN GAY), the vapors are an incredible decongestant, is germicidal and helps morning sickness a great deal. Those wishing to alleviate morning sickness should use only diluted tea concentrations for reasons shown below. Peppermint is a hybrid of spearmint and is the more potent due to the high menthol factor. Spearmint contains Carvone in comparison to menthol. While not nearly as effective, spearmint is much safer. <br />*****Warnings: on rare occasions the fragrance of mint oil has caused gagging in children. Pure menthol, ingested , is poisonous. A teaspoon can be fatal. Do not ingest peppermint oil or menthol. <br />#&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; #&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; #<br /><br />~MYRRHA <br />AKA: balsamodendron <br />RX: steep powdered herb for mouthwash, infusion, tincture&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;Myrrha makes an excellent mouthwash, toothpaste and fights bacteria <br />*****Warnings: large amounts may have violent laxative action. <br />#&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; #&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; #<br />~NETTLE <br />AKA: stinging nettle, common nettle, greater nettle <br />RX: process plant matter in juicer, infusion, tincture <br /><br />An effective cure for gout, nettle is also good fiord the symptoms of hay fever, scurvy, PMS, and helps heart patients. <br />*****Warnings: USE GLOVES when dealing with this plant or you will regret it. nature protects its own. Large doses of nettle tea may cause stomach irritation. <br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />Without a sacred center, no one knows right from wrong." <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; - Thomas Yellowtail, CROW<br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />Prison Writings of LEONARD PELTIER<br /><br />Silence, they say, is the voice of complicity.<br />But silence is impossible.<br />Silence screams.<br />Silence is a message,<br />Just as doing nothing is an act.<br /><br />Let who you are ring out and resonate<br />in every word and every deed.<br />Yes, become who you are.<br />There's no sidestepping your own being<br />or your own responsibility.<br /><br />What you do is who you are.<br />You are your own comeuppance.<br />You become your own message.<br /><br />You are the message.<br /><br />--Leonard Peltier<br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />I guess this is enough for this month. I am off to fix supper.&nbsp; Be good, stay healthy, and always be wise.<br />As usual...if you would like to submit something to the newsletter send it to:<br /><a href="mailto:shiakoda@att.net">shiakoda@att.net</a><br /><br />Many Blessings to you and yours.<br />Shiakoda Autumn Wolf Moon Q.Shiakoda Autumn Wolf Moon Q.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04821100742943607490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749857024160092168.post-84275306259418697182011-06-01T09:24:00.000-07:002011-06-08T09:57:35.339-07:00WOLF SPIRIT June 2011<br /> <br />Greetings,<br /><br />Well, it looks like summer is here. Temperatures here this week are in the eighty's. That’s good too much humidity though. Lots of sunshine, trees blooming, flowers coming up, allergies in full bloom. (achooooo) <br />Spring and Fall are my favorite seasons. With this New England weather you never know what you are in for. It can be short sleeve tee-shirts one day and snowing the next. I talk about how I would love to live in Arizona or somewhere like that but I think I would miss our weather changes. Some day maybe. <br /> <br />Enjoy the newsletter.<br />Shiakoda<br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />Indian youth will join First Lady at White House garden<br />Tuesday, May 31, 2011<br /><br />Indian youth will join First Lady Michelle Obama at the White House this Friday as part of her <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.letsmove.gov/"><u><span style="color: blue;">Let's Move</span></u></a> initiative. <br /><br />The youth will help the First Lady harvest crops in the White House kitchen garden. They will also plan corn, squash and beans, otherwise known as the three sisters of Indian agriculture. <br /><br />The group will be joined by <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.bia.gov/WhoWeAre/AS-IA/index.htm"><u><span style="color: blue;">Assistant Secretary Larry Echo Hawk</span></u></a>, <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.ncai.org/"><u><span style="color: blue;">National Congress of American Indians</span></u></a> President Jefferson Keel and NFL quarterback Sam Bradford, a member of the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.cherokee.org/"><u><span style="color: blue;">Cherokee Nation</span></u></a>. <br /><br />The First Lady's office officially kicked of the Let's Move! campaign in Indian Country on the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.menominee-nsn.gov/"><u><span style="color: blue;">Menominee Nation</span></u></a> of Wisconsin last week. <br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />Standing Rock Sioux Tribe deals with threat of flooding<br />Tuesday, May 31, 2011<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.standingrock.org/"><u><span style="color: blue;">Standing Rock Sioux Tribe</span></u></a> faces a major threat of flooding from the Missouri River. <br /><br />The <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.usace.army.mil/Pages/default.aspx"><u><span style="color: blue;">U.S. Army Corps of Engineers</span></u></a> is releasing record amounts of water along the river to deal with runoff from heavy spring snowmelt and rains, the Associated Press reported. The flooding could cut off the only access point to the tribal government center, the tribal court and the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.ihs.gov/"><u><span style="color: blue;">Indian Health Service</span></u></a> on the reservation. <br />"The Standing Rock Reservation, like communities down the Missouri River, are confronting significant challenges owing to increased flows from the main stem dams," <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://hoeven.senate.gov/"><u><span style="color: blue;">Sen. John Hoeven</span></u></a> (R-North Dakota) and North Dakota <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://governor.nd.gov/home"><u><span style="color: blue;">Gov. Jack Dalrymple</span></u></a> (R) said in a <a href="http://hoeven.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=fa67fade-9d01-4eae-ae0d-30dbd485f1e3&amp;ContentType_id=85dc076e-527d-4ffe-957e-a45d4eac36d3&amp;Group_id=7d6e4605-eced-449f-9e34-aff13c60386b"><u><span style="color: blue;">press release</span></u></a>. "We urge and appreciate the Corps’ efforts to respond in as timely and effective a manner as possible." <br /><br />Chairman Charles Murphy said the Army Corps notified the tribe that a team will be sent to the reservation to deal with flooding. <br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />Wampanoag student makes history as Harvard graduate<br />Friday, May 27, 2011<br /><br />Tiffany Smalley, a member of the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.wampanoagtribe.net/"><u><span style="color: blue;">Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe</span></u></a> of Massachusetts, made history when she graduated from <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.harvard.edu/"><u><span style="color: blue;">Harvard College</span></u></a> on Thursday. <br /><br />Smalley is the first Wampanoag to receive an undergraduate degree from Harvard since 1665. She received a bachelor’s degree in government and a minor in ethnic studies. <br /><br />Smalley also accepted a diploma for Joel Iacoomes, who was due to graduate from Harvard in 1665 before he died in a shipwreck. Caleb Cheeshateaumuck, another Wampanoag, graduated that year. <br /><br />"With the granting of Joel’s posthumous degree I think it’s a huge 180," Smalley told The Martha's Vineyard Gazette.. "Within the past year especially, I’ve seen a lot of initiative on the part of the university to really celebrate this history." <br /><br />Tribal leaders, tribal members and two Wampanoags who received graduate degrees from Harvard attended yesterday's ceremony. <br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Oklahoma tornadoes: Calumet and El Reno area residents clean up storm debris </span>BY TRICIA PEMBERTON Oklahoman: May 26, 2011<br /><br />CALUMET — Susan Sleeper and her three teenagers barely made it the mile down the road to the Maple Public School before the tornado swept through their neighborhood. <br /><br />"As we got to the building, we heard the roar, just like a freight train," she said. She could see the tornado’s cone, and once inside the school she could hear debris hitting the building. <br /><br />"We could see the walls waving, just like someone was pushing them." <br /><br />She said her husband, Charles Sr., was inside a Walmart in El Reno where employees wouldn’t let him leave, fearful for his safety. <br /><br />"He was just worried about getting to us to see if we were OK," she said. <br />Wednesday morning, Sleeper and her family picked through the rubble of what once was their home. Her dogs, Spike and Princess, guarded the family car. Clothing and stuffed animals clung to tree branches across the road. <br /><br />A puppy was killed by the storm, Sleeper said. A neighbor found it and called Sleeper and her husband over to bury it before the children saw it. <br /><br />Ella Sleeper, 13, said she was sad about the puppy. <br /><br />"I just want to close my eyes and go home," she said. <br /><br />That will be awhile. <br /><br />Susan Sleeper said the Cheyenne-Arapaho tribe will relocate her family, temporarily putting them in a hotel. <br />Ella Sleeper found two ceramic cats that survived the storm. The family’s 13 live cats had yet to turn up. <br />Susan Sleeper said her house was brand-new when she moved into it six years ago. <br />"Now, it’s gone in an instant," she said. <br /><br />Terry Floyd, community services director for the city of El Reno, said in addition to the six deaths confirmed in Canadian County, there were about 20 injuries reported from Tuesday’s storm. <br /><br />Floyd said he’d fielded more calls from people wanting to help or make donations than he had from property owners asking for help. <br /><br />El Reno fire and police departments, along with first responders from Canadian County and surrounding areas, searched an 18- to 20-mile debris path Wednesday, Floyd said. He estimated there was damage to 30 to 45 homes in an area primarily west of El Reno, near the U.S. 270 and Interstate 40 intersection in Canadian County. <br /><br />Areas north and east of El Reno received heavy damage and homes were damaged or lost in the Skyline Addition and near U.S. 81 and Britton Road, as well as south of Concho, Floyd said. Some structural damage was reported at Fort Reno west of El Reno. <br /><br />The Sleepers and their neighbors are in rural Canadian County but have Calumet addresses. The area is about 15 miles west of Oklahoma City. <br /><br />Miranda Lewis had tears in her eyes as she searched for items to salvage at what had been her home along Maple Road. <br /><br />"I knew it was bad, just not this bad," she said. <br /><br />Lewis’ husband and son were in Elk City when the storm struck. She drove four miles to get into a storm cellar with a friend. The storm passed within a half mile of her, she said. <br /><br />"You could definitely hear it," she said. "It sounded like a high-pitched scream. Then it got completely still. It took a while to pass." <br /><br />There were some triumphs for Lewis as she searched. <br /><br />She held up a small metal elephant with a curved nail that held her husband’s gold wedding band. She also found her wedding dress unscathed and the boots her husband wore to their wedding. <br /><br />"Now if I find my bouquet," she said, "that would be a real kicker." <br /><br />She also found a board used to mark the height of her son Copper for each of his six years. <br />Lewis said the family has insurance and the help of family and friends. <br /><br />Neighbor Roy Ramey said he heard the storm warnings and threw his wife in the truck. He pointed to a dented bumper and broken front window, both damaged by storm debris. <br /><br />Ramey said he had to shoot one of his horses that suffered a broken leg during the storm. Two other horses were taken to a veterinarian and he was still looking for his two cats. Nothing was left of his house. A red sports car was in a nearby ravine. <br /><br />The damage is "sickening," Ramey said. Amber and Marc Brewster, friends of the Rameys, helped look for anything that could be salvaged. "I’ve never seen anything like this before," Amber Brewster said.<br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />Shelly Crow, former second chief of Muscogee (Creek) Nation, dies <br /><br />TEACHER, LEADER<br /><b>Shelly Crow:</b> She was at the forefront of tribal health issues. <br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/site/authors.aspx?a=TIM-STANLEY-"><u><span style="color: blue;">By TIM STANLEY World Staff Writer</span></u></a> <br /> <br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">HENRYETTA - Shelly Crow, the first woman to serve as second chief of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, died Monday at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa. She was 63.</span><br />A funeral service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday at the Church of Christ under the direction of Integrity Funeral Home. <br /><br />Crow, a registered nurse and former Tulsan, was the tribe's second chief from 1992 to 1996 during the administration of then-Principal Chief Bill Fife. She ran unsuccessfully for the principal chief post in 1995. <br /><br />Current Principal Chief A.D. Ellis said: "I spoke with her a lot - about every week. I lost a good friend." <br /><br />Ellis added that Crow had hoped that her health problems were behind her and that she could serve the tribe again. <br /><br />A graduate of Webster High School in Tulsa, Crow had a master's degree in nursing from the University of Oklahoma and worked for several years at Hillcrest Medical Center. <br /><br />She later taught nursing at the University of Tulsa and Langston University. <br /><br />Crow, the youngest of three sisters, grew up in Henryetta. Her mother was half Creek Indian, and her father was of Welsh and Indian descent. <br /><br />"I never had anything handed to me. I always had to work," she once told the Tulsa World. "My parents gave a lot of love and attention, but they had no material things to give us." <br /><br />Crow previously was chairwoman of the Creek Nation Health System's board and served on the Oklahoma Indian Health Service Area Health Board. <br /><br />She also served on the Claremore Indian Advisory Board, the National Nursing Higher Education Board, the Oklahoma Rural Health Board, the Tulsa Indian Affairs Commission and many other health-related committees. <br /><br />"She was a strong lady," Fife said. "She always did what she felt was right and was involved with a lot of health issues that helped our tribe." <br /><br />Crow is survived by her husband, John Crow III; a daughter, Leslie Crow; and two grandchildren. <br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />Conference looks at preserving Native language and culture<br />Thursday, May 26, 2011<br /><br /><br />About 200 people are attending a conference on Native language and culture in Cornwall, Ontario. <br /><br />"Raising Our Voices" is hosted by the Sweetgrass First Nation Language Council, the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.srmt-nsn.gov/"><u><span style="color: blue;">St. Regis Mohawk Tribe</span></u></a> and the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.akwesasne.ca/"><u><span style="color: blue;">Mohawk Council of Akwesasne</span></u></a>. Youth, elders and educators are discussing ways to keep their languages and cultures alive. <br /><br />Michael Kanentakeron Mitchell, grand chief of the Mohawk Council, said some Native languages will die out within 10 years unless they are passed on to a new generation. <br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Seminoles add baby otters to the Tribe</span> <br />Unable to decide what to name the pair of otters, the Seminole Indian Tribe is opening up the naming process to the public. <br />Suggestions will be accepted through June 17 and should be sent to okaleevillage@semtribe.com. <br /> <br /><b><span style="font-size: medium;">By Daniela Abratt<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: medium;">&nbsp;</span>Upon hearing their foster mom’s voice, the two baby otters dived into the water and made their way to her. Emerging, they circled playfully between her legs.<br /><br />On Wednesday, the pair of Asian small-clawed otters moved from the home of their trainer, Giselle Hosein, into their new digs at the Okalee Village at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel &amp; Casino in Hollywood.<br /><br />"I’m completely attached to them, but it’s important for their independence and development to start living on their own," said Hosein, wildlife supervisor for the Okalee Indian Village. <br /><br />Their new home is an 800-square-foot enclosure which mimics their natural habitat and includes 6,000 gallons of water, river rocks and a night box to hide in.<br /><br />The village bought the pair at 3 months old from a private breeder in California, paying $7,500, of which $5,000 came from donations and sponsorships, said Jennifer "Ebo" Osceola, the general manager of the village.<br /><br />Osceola said the Okalee Village’s purpose is to educate people about the lifestyle of the native Seminoles and about wildlife and environmental conservation. <br /><br />It was important to bring otters to the village because they are one of the tribe’s six clan animals — the others being birds, bears, panthers, snakes and deer. <br /><br />For the last three months, Hosein has been their primary trainer and caregiver. Her house became their home, as they lived with her and slept in a medium-sized dog crate in her bedroom. <br /><br />"They have been the most rewarding animal to train," she said. "The emotional connection you form with them is unlike that of other animals."<br /><br />She likened raising them to raising a newborn child, requiring feeding every few hours, cleaning, burping and training. <br /><br />This species, Aonyx cinerea, is not born knowing how to swim and instead is taught how at about 6 weeks old by the mother.<br /><br />Hosein began teaching them to swim and hold their heads under water in her bathtub and then slowly moved them to deeper pools. <br /><br />The otters have a silky coat of 80,000 hairs per square inch of their bodies, rendering their skin essentially waterproof. <br /><br />"Otter John’’ Jones, the wildlife manager at the Okalee Indian Village, said the sibling otters will be an exciting addition to the varied community of wildlife at the village.<br /><br />"We can now let people experience them upfront with just glass separating them," he said. <br /><br />Otters can sense and understand human emotions and vocal tones, which makes this species, in particular, easiest to breed in captivity. <br /><br />"They’re very emotional, but they’ll change from happy to angry in one second," he said. "Working with otters — you will have holes in your body."<br /><br />Though they will be brought inside at night, the otters are quite comfortable in their new home, Hosein said. They’ve also been given a number of toys to entertain them.<br /><br />"On my days off, I’ll still come in and say hi to them," she said. "My kids are spoiled." <br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />Blackfeet Nation declares emergency due to rising waters<br />Wednesday, May 25, 2011<br /><br /><br />The <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.blackfeetnation.com/"><u><span style="color: blue;">Blackfeet Nation</span></u></a> of Montana has issued a flood emergency due to rising water levels on the reservation. <br />Part of the Powwow Campground in Browning is already under water. Some residents have seen water levels approaching their homes and some evacuations are expected. <br /><br />Heavy rains and melting snow have contributed to emergency conditions around the state. <br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />Conditions on Crow Reservation treacherous after flooding<br />Wednesday, May 25, 2011<br /><br />Some members of the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.crowtribe.com/"><u><span style="color: blue;">Crow Tribe</span></u></a> of Montana have been without electricity and water for over 24 hours due to major flooding on the reservation. <br /><br />There's currently no access to Lodge Grass, a community of about 500 people. More than 100 residents sought shelter at the local high school while another 195 evacuated to Billings. <br /><br />"It doesn't even seem real yet," Brian Pretty Eagle, whose home and ranch were destroyed, told Reuters. "Once it hits me, it's really going to hit me." <br /><br />The <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.bia.gov/"><u><span style="color: blue;">Bureau of Indian Affairs</span></u></a> also said 30 tribal members are stranded just across the border in in Sheridan, Wyoming. They have no way to get back to the reservation due to road closures. <br /><br />The Crow Tribe declared a disaster on Monday. Although waters appeared to be receding yesterday, many roads on the reservation remain flooded, including 80 miles of a major interstate. <br /><br />Montana <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://governor.mt.gov/"><u><span style="color: blue;">Gov. Brian Schweitzer</span></u></a> (D) issued an emergency for the entire state. <br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />Crow Tribe starts assessing damage after massive flooding<br />Thursday, May 26, 2011<br /><br /><br />The <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.crowtribe.com/"><u><span style="color: blue;">Crow Tribe</span></u></a> of Montana is starting to assess the damage from the worst flooding to hit the reservation since 1978. <br /><br />The tribe said flooding has damaged at least 75 homes. More than 200 people have taken shelter at sites off the reservation. <br /><br />"We're still trying to catch up with everything," spokesperson Jared Stewart told The Billings Gazette. <br />There was good news yesterday with the reopening of a major interstate that runs through the reservation. Tribal members who were stranded in Lodge Grass are now able to receive supplies after losing electricity for more than two days. <br /><br />But there was also a warning not to drink water without boiling it first. "We still have contaminated water," Stewart told the paper. <br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />Parts of Cherokee Nation report damages from tornadoes<br />Wednesday, May 25, 2011<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.cherokee.org/"><u><span style="color: blue;">Cherokee Nation</span></u></a> is helping its members who suffered property damage from a series of tornadoes in northeastern Oklahoma. <br /><br />At least three tornadoes touched down in Delaware and Adair counties on May 22. Tribal members reported damage to their homes and property, with two mobile homes being completely destroyed. <br /><br />"We ran out the door and we crawled over trees and made it to the top and his trailer was literally in pieces," Carol Arnold told The Cherokee Phoenix of her son's mobile home. She said her son suffered some injuries. <br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />United Keetoowah Band hails BIA action on land-into-trust<br />Thursday, May 26, 2011<br /><br /><br />The <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://unitedkeetoowahband.org/"><u><span style="color: blue;">United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians</span></u></a> of Oklahoma welcomed a long-awaited decision on its land-into-trust application amid threats of litigation from a rival tribe. <br /><br />The UKB submitted the application for 76 acres in June 2004. After two negative rulings, the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.bia.gov/"><u><span style="color: blue;">Bureau of Indian Affairs</span></u></a> approved the application on Tuesday. <br /><br />"We have fought for seven years to obtain this historic decision, which recognizes the tribe’s ability to properly serve our tribal members on our treaty lands," said Chief George Wickliffe. <br /><br />The site is home to the tribe's dance grounds, a community gathering and celebration place, an elder center and other government buildings. Barring any legal challenges, it will be the tribe's first parcel of trust land. <br /><br />"The decision is significant in that it will enable the tribal council to continue to expand the scope of services that will improve the lives of our tribal members," said Assistant Chief Charles Locust. <br /><br />The <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.cherokee.org/"><u><span style="color: blue;">Cherokee Nation</span></u></a>, however, is threatening to sue the BIA. The tribe claims exclusive jurisdiction over Indian land within its former reservation. <br /><br />The BIA said the 76-acre site will be declared Indian Country and will be subject to the jurisdiction of the UKB. <br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Crime History: First of Indian murders leads to wealthy landowner</span>By: <a href="http://www.blogger.com/people/scott-mccabe"><u><span style="color: blue;">Scott McCabe</span></u></a> 05/26/11 8:05 PM <br /><br /><br />On this day, May 27, in 1921, a hunting party in Oklahoma discovered the body of Osage Indian Anna Brown, the first of several murders traced to wealthy cattleman Bill Hale.<br /><br />Over the next two years, 13 other Osage men and women were killed, including by firebomb. The tribe hired the newly formed FBI to investigate.<br /><br />Agents discovered that Hale, known as the "King of Osage Hills," and his nephews conspired to marry full-blooded Osage women, collect on the insurance policies and gain access to the wealth of oil under the reservation.<br /><br />Hale, his nephews, and the ranch hands they hired to murder the Osage were convicted and sentenced to life.<br /><br />The case was an early success for the agency and dramatized in the 1959 film "The FBI Story."<br />-Scott McCabe<br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />Seneca Nation leader discusses tobacco tax at UN forum<br />Friday, May 27, 2011<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.sni.org/"><u><span style="color: blue;">Seneca Nation</span></u></a> has a treaty right to regulate trade and commerce free of state interference, a tribal leader told the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.un.org/indigenous/"><u><span style="color: blue;">United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues</span></u></a>. <br /><br />The 1794 Treaty of Canandaigua promises the tribe "free use and enjoyment of Seneca lands." The 1842 Buffalo Creek Treaty states that the tribe enjoys freedom from "all taxes, and assessments for roads, highways, or any other purpose." <br /><br />"It is clear that taking our treaty arguments to the international level is the next necessary step," <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://sni.org/download.php?f=UNPermForumStatement.pdf"><u><span style="color: blue;">council member Nikki Seneca told the UN</span></u></a>. "The Seneca Nation will continue to defend our sovereign status, defend our treaty rights, and call attention to the need for New York State and the federal government to honor our treaties." <br /><br />The The <a href="http://www.blogger.com/my.asp?url=http://www.ca2.uscourts.gov/"><u><span style="color: blue;">2nd Circuit Court of Appeals</span></u></a> recently ruled that the state's tobacco efforts do not infringe on tribal sovereignty. <br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">EPA Establishes Tribal Committee for Addressing Toxic Chemical Pollution</span>Rachel Bogart – Tue May 31, 4:52 pm ET <br /><br />According to a news release from the Environmental Protection Agency, the EPA has officially established a committee that will allow Native American tribes across the country <a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/ac/us_ac/storytext/8566649_epa_establishes_tribal_committee_for_addressing_toxic_chemical_pollution/41687018/SIG=13p40cseh/*http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/d0cf6618525a9efb85257359003fb69d/31a0e77420565c7f852578a10055f85e!OpenDocument"><u><span style="color: blue;">to provide more input on toxic chemical pollution</span></u></a> and other related environmental issues. <br /><br />The announcement from the EPA was made this Tuesday and is part of an effort to give Native American tribes more power and authority when it comes to protecting their public health and the environmental health of their lands. The National Tribal Toxics Committee will allow the EPA to work with individual tribes on these environmental issues while still emphasizing the importance of the sovereignty of the tribes and their cultures, values and heritage. <br /><br />Assistant administrator for the EPA's Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Steve Owens commented on the accomplishment of the EPA establishing the NTTC: "As we focus on chemical safety and identify ways to reduce exposure to toxic chemicals and prevent pollution in Indian Country, it is absolutely critical that we listen to our tribal partners. We want to ensure that we address the ways that tribal members are affected by toxic substances and promote pollution prevention efforts that reflect their interests and needs."<br /><br />The NTTC will involve a series of meetings and open forums, the first of which is scheduled for June 1-2 in Washington. The meetings and open forums will give tribes a way to voice their opinions on new management strategies and programs that will affect their environmental health and work with the EPA on making improvements. The main focus will be looking at the unique environmental health needs that differ in each Native American tribe. Additionally, specific issues the NTTC will address, <a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/ac/us_ac/storytext/8566649_epa_establishes_tribal_committee_for_addressing_toxic_chemical_pollution/41687018/SIG=111ujje9l/*http://www.epa.gov/oppt/tribal/"><u><span style="color: blue;">according to the official NTTC website</span></u></a>, include preventing lead poisoning from lead-based paint, expanding pollution prevention and exposure initiatives, and managing chemical waste on tribal lands.<br /><br />Addressing lead poisoning in tribal communities has long been a major EPA initiative. According to another press release from the EPA, the federal environmental agency has <a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/ac/us_ac/storytext/8566649_epa_establishes_tribal_committee_for_addressing_toxic_chemical_pollution/41687018/SIG=118bi8ojd/*http://epa.gov/lead/pubs/rfp042208.pdf"><u><span style="color: blue;">developed educational and outreach programs</span></u></a> to address and evaluate the problem of lead poisoning and exposure in Native American tribal children. The EPA has also been giving grants and federal funding to eliminate childhood lead poisoning in Indian county with the <a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/ac/us_ac/storytext/8566649_epa_establishes_tribal_committee_for_addressing_toxic_chemical_pollution/41687018/SIG=121o4qpti/*http://www.epa.gov/region9/toxic/lead/lead-child-indiancountry/"><u><span style="color: blue;">Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) grants</span></u></a> in 16 different and Federally-recognized tribes in California, Nevada, and Arizona, according to the EPA's Pacific Southwest Region 9 Lead Program website.<br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Obama Hosts Conference for Native American Leaders</span>By <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/author/sunlen_miller"><u><span style="color: blue;">SUNLEN MILLER</span></u></a> (<a href="http://twitter.com/sunlenmiller"><u><span style="color: blue;">@sunlenmiller</span></u></a>) <br />WASHINGTON, Nov. 5, 2009 <br /><br />President Obama is scheduled to make good today on his campaign promise to host a <a href="http://www.blogger.com/8999578"><u><span style="color: blue;">White House Tribal Nations Conference</span></u></a>. <br /><br />Leaders from 564<a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=8993584"><u><span style="color: blue;">federally recognized tribes</span></u></a> are expected to come to the Department of the Interior for an all-day forum, where they will meet directly with the president and representatives from the administration. The president is scheduled to deliver opening remarks in the morning and closing remarks in the afternoon. <br /><br />During the day, four discussions led by senior administration officials are planned. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Education Secretary Arne Duncan and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson are among the administration officials who will lead the <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=8537904"><u><span style="color: blue;">group discussions</span></u></a>. <br /><br />The groups and tribal leaders are expected discuss areas of economic development and <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=90125&amp;page=1"><u><span style="color: blue;">national resources</span></u></a>, public safety and housing, education and health and labor. <br /><br />"I look forward to hearing directly from the leaders in Indian Country about what my administration can do to not only meet their needs, but help improve their lives and the lives of their peoples," Obama said in a statement. "This conference will serve as part of the ongoing and important consultation process that I value, and further strengthen the nation-to-nation relationship." <br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />May the stars carry your sadness away.<br />May the flowers fill your heart with beauty.<br />May hope forever wipe away your tears.<br />And, above all, may silence make you strong.<br /><br /><br />Chief Dan George<br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />WE HONOR:<br /><br />SPC Lori Ann Piestewa (December 14, 1979–March 23, 2003) she was a U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps soldier killed during the same Iraqi Army attack in which her friends and fellow soldiers Shoshana Johnson and Jessica Lynch were injured. A member of the Hopi tribe, Piestewa was the first woman in the U.S. armed forces killed in the 2003 Iraq war and is the first Native American woman to die in combat while serving with the U.S. military. <br /><br />All soldiers killed in all wars or conflicts.<br /><br />Oh Great Spirit<br /><br />Whose voice I hear in the winds, <br />And whose breath gives life to all the world,<br />hear me, I am small and weak, <br />I need your strength and wisdom.<br /><br />Let me walk in beauty <br />and make my eyes ever <br />behold the red and purple sunset.<br /><br />Make my hands respect <br />the things you have made <br />and my ears sharp to hear your voice.<br /><br />Make me wise <br />so that I may understand <br />the things you have taught my people. <br />Let me learn the lessons <br />you have hidden in every leaf and rock.<br /><br />I seek strength, <br />not to be greater than my brother <br />but to fight my greatest enemy-myself. <br /><br />Make me always ready <br />to come to you <br />with clean hands and straight eyes, <br /><br />So whenlife fades, <br />as the fading sunset, <br />my Spirit may come to you without shame.<br /><br />(translated by Lakota Sioux Chief Yellopw Lark in 1887)<br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />PLEASE PRAY FOR:<br /><br />Chief Strong Horse...strength and health <br />Tony Cricket...health and healing <br />Bob C....health and healing <br />Bobbie C...health and strength <br />Theresa...health and healing <br />Sarah Spirit...health, healing, wisdom and strength <br />Delitris...strength, wisdom and healing <br />Denika...strength, wisdom and healing <br />Melissa...strength, wisdom and healing <br />Savanna...strength, wisdom and healing <br /><br />Pray for all that are incarcerated that they find peace and a new way. <br />Pray for wisdom for our Spiritual Leaders so they can help others find their way <br />Pray for our troops fighting for our freedom <br />Pray for UTAN... to keep us strong and always together <br />Pray for all Clan Mothers and Chiefs...to show the right way and to lead with strength and wisdom <br />All our ancestors and relations<br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />Earth Teach Me<br /><br />Earth teach me quiet ~ as the grasses are still with new light. <br />Earth teach me suffering ~ as old stones suffer with memory. <br />Earth teach me humility ~ as blossoms are humble with beginning. <br />Earth teach me caring ~ as mothers nurture their young. <br />Earth teach me courage ~ as the tree that stands alone. <br />Earth teach me limitation ~ as the ant that crawls on the ground. <br />Earth teach me acceptance ~ as the leaves that die each fall. <br />Earth teach me renewal ~ as the seed that rises in the spring. <br />Earth teach me to forget myself ~ as melted snow forgets its life. <br />Earth teach me to remember kindness ~ as dry fields weep with rain.<br /><br /><br />Ute Prayer<br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />*****FUNNY<br /><br />FREE DOG......<br />My house was broken into last night by two robbers who locked me in the bathroom, and proceeded to steal all they could carry. My watchdog, "Killer", did not alert me, and for this reason I am giving him away. I no longer want a dog - I´m installing an electric fence and detection devices with alarms. They´re cheaper and more reliable. For those interested in adopting the dog please send an e-mail urgently. <br /><br />A photo of "Killer" is attached below. <br /><br />He does have a few problems but with help he should be OK. <br /><br /><span style="color: blue; font-family: AR DECODE; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: AR DECODE; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: AR DECODE; font-size: medium;"></span></span></span></b></b></b></b></span></b></b></b></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0m27_H1tdzY/TeZnMV_8rcI/AAAAAAAAAAY/PKlNqZMLK5Y/s1600/dof.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0m27_H1tdzY/TeZnMV_8rcI/AAAAAAAAAAY/PKlNqZMLK5Y/s320/dof.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">*~~~~~~~~~~ *~~~~~~~~~~ *~~~~~~~~~~</div><b><u><span style="color: maroon; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: maroon; font-size: x-large;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Believe it or not... <br />These are Memphis , TN 's</div></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><b><u><span style="color: maroon; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: maroon; font-size: x-large;">REAL 911 Calls!</span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br /><u><br /><br />Dispatcher</u> :</span></span><span style="color: olive; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: olive; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: olive; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"> 9-1-1 What is your emergency? </span></span></span><u><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br />Caller: </span></span><span style="color: olive; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: olive; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: olive; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">Do you have <u>an address?</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"> <u><br />Caller:</u> No, I have on a blouse and slacks, why? <br /><u><br />Dispatcher</u>: </span></span><span style="color: olive; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: olive; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: olive; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">9-1-1 What is your emergency? </span></span></span><u><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br />Caller</span></span><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">Someone broke into my house and took a bite out of my ham and cheese sandwich </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">. <u><br />Dispatcher</u> : </span></span><span style="color: olive; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: olive; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: olive; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">Excuse me?</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"> <u><br />Caller</u> : </span></span><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">I made a ham and cheese sandwich and left it on the kitchen table and when I came back from the bathroom, someone had taken a bite out of it. </span></span></span><u><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br />Dispatcher</span></span><span style="color: olive; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: olive; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: olive; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">Was anything else taken?</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"> <u><br />Caller</u> : </span></span><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">No, but this has happened to me before and I'm sick and tired of it! </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br /><br />Dispatcher:</span></span><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: olive; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: olive; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: olive; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">9-1-1 What is the nature of your emergency?</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"> <br />Caller:</span></span><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">I'm trying to reach nine eleven but my phone doesn't have an eleven on it. <br />Dispatcher:</span></span><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: olive; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: olive; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: olive; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">This is</span></span></span><span style="color: purple; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: olive; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: olive; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: olive; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">nine eleven. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br />Caller:</span></span><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">I thought you just said it was nine-one-one <br />Dispatcher:</span></span><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: olive; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: olive; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: olive; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">Yes, ma'am nine-one-one and nine-eleven are the same thing. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br />Caller:</span></span><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">Honey, I may be old, but I'm not stupid. </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br />Dispatcher:</span></span><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: olive; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: olive; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: olive; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">9-1-1 What's the nature of your emergency? </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br />Caller:</span></span><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">My wife is pregnant and her contractions are only two minutes apart </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br />Dispatcher:</span></span><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: olive; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: olive; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: olive; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">Is this her first child?</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"> <br />Caller:</span></span><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">No, you idiot! This is her husband! </span></span></span><span style="color: green; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: green; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: green; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"><br /><br />And the winner is..........</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"> <br /><br />Dispatcher: </span></span><span style="color: olive; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: olive; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: olive; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">9-1-1 </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br />Caller:</span></span><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">Yeah, I'm having trouble breathing. I'm all out of breath. Darn....I think I'm going to pass out. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br />Dispatcher:</span></span><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: olive; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: olive; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: olive; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">Sir, where are you calling from</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Caller:</span><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">I'm at a pay phone. North and Foster.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"> <br />Dispatcher:</span></span><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: olive; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: olive; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: olive; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">Sir, an ambulance is on the way. Are you an asthmatic? </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br />Caller:</span></span><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">No </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br />Dispatcher:</span></span><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: olive; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: olive; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: olive; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">What were you doing before you started having trouble breathing?</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br />Caller:</span></span><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: maroon; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">Running from the Police</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span>*~~~~~~~~~~ *~~~~~~~~~~<br />Hunting Trip<br /><br />Two Lakota guys and a dude from New York are on a hunting trip. On the first day one Lakota guy goes out and less than an hour later he returns with a deer. The New York guy is blown away. "How did you get your deer so fast?" "East" says the Lakota guy, "I looked for tracks, found them, followed them, and got my deer."<br /><br />The next day the second Lakota guy goes out and less than an hour later returns with a deer. The New York guy is blow away again, just labbergasted. "how did you get YOUR deer so fast?" "It's simple" says the Lakota guy, "I looked for tracks, found them, followed them, and there was the deer."<br /><br />On the third day, the New York guy goes out. He doesn't return and when darkness begins to fall, the two Lakota guys go looking for him. They found himlying at the base of a hill, bloodied up, clothes torn, and bones broken. "What happened to you?" they asked. "Ididjust what you told me to do. I looked for tracks, found them, followed them, and the damn train ran me over.!!!!<br />*~~~~~~~~~~ *~~~~~~~~~~<br />What do Eskimos get from rubbing noses too many times?<br /><br />Sniffils.<br />*~~~~~~~~~~ *~~~~~~~~~~<br />A Cheyenne guy went to Chinatown in San Francisco. <br />While there he found a bronze rat at a thrift store. <br />"How much do you want for the rat" he asked. <br /><br />"$3 for the rat and $1000 for the story that goes with it" said the shopkeeper. <br /><br />"Just give me the rat," the Cheyenne said, and then he left with it. <br /><br />As he walked down the street he noticed a couple of rats following him. <br />As he walked further, more and more rats started chasing him. <br />By the time he got to the bay, there were thousands of rats chasing him. <br />So he climbed up a pole and threw the bronze rat into the water. <br />To his amazement, all the rats jumped into the water. <br />The Cheyenne then returned to the thrift store. <br /><br />"Ahh" the Chinaman said. "Now you would like to hear the story?" <br /><br />"No" said the Cheyenne, "I just came back to see if you had any bronze white men!"<br />*~~~~~~~~~~ *~~~~~~~~~~<br />NASA asked this elder Dine' guy to record a message to put on their newest S.E.T.I. satellite, along with messages from other cultures and languages. <br /><br />He records the message, the satellite is launched, and one day CNN broadcasts the messages being sent into outer space from the spacecraft. <br /><br />A huge belly laugh is heard coming from the entire northern portion of Arizona. <br />When CNN asks why the people are laughing, a man from Chinle tells them, <br /><br />"The message says that if they are hearing this, to stay quiet and don't respond, because as soon as the white man knows where those aliens live, they'll come over for dinner, and end up NEVER going home!"<br />*~~~~~~~~~~~ *~~~~~~~~~~~<br />This Native American boy goes to his mother one day with a puzzled look on his face. <br /><br />"Say, mom, why is my bigger brother named Mighty Storm?" <br /><br />She told him, "Because he was conceived during a mighty storm." <br /><br />Then he asked, "Why is my sister named Cornflower?" <br /><br />She replied, "Well, your father and I were in a cornfield when we made her." <br /><br />"And why is my other sister called Moonchild?" <br /><br />The mother said, "We were watching the moon landing while she was conceived." <br /><br />Mother Native American paused and asked her son, "Tell me, Torn Rubber, why are you asking so many questions today?" <br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;CONNECTING WITH OUR NATURE SPIRIT GUIDES<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"DRAGONFLY &amp; DAMSELFLY"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Messenger.......Shadow.......Journey.......Lifetime<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;The Power of Light...Illusion...Change...Transformation...Clairvoyance<br /><br /><br />Dragonflies are estimated to have been around for over 180-million years. You can't get very much more "Native" than that! They're incredibly colorful and amazingly fast...and a pleasure to have around, and interact with.<br /><br />A close cousin to the dragonfly is the 'damselfly', and the two are often mistaken as the same. There are some discernible differences, if one takes the time to really study.<br /><br />The dragonfly has very large multi-faceted eyes and a very broad body. When at rest, it's wings will spread outward and sideways. A dragonfly will always feed while it is in flight, and can consume it's own body weight in insects in less than a half-hour... and much more, in insects every day? If true, that's impressive.<br /><br />The damselfly is very delicate in it's appearance, with a slender body and smaller eyes. When they land, their wings are held in an upward position. They will always land before eating, but have a large appetite for mosquitoes and other flying insects, as well.<br /><br />Both the dragonfly and damselflies are incredibly fast in flight, and can put on fascinating aerial maneuvers and entertaining displays. They can fly at speeds estimated at over 30 mph., and detect movement from up to 40 feet away, it has been said. Strong jaws and spiny legs allow for efficient hunting procedures.<br /><br />Those with Dragonfly-Medicine can be known to be very emotional and passionate, (the influence of water) especially in their younger years...then, as they mature, they become more balanced and with better mental clarity...the influence of air.<br /><br />Dragonfly can come to teach you that you may need some 'fresh air' in your life, perhaps connected to something emotional. You may need a new perspective, or to make some sort of change...to keep the 'colors' of your emotions alive...and Dragonflies are very adaptable, true survivalists.<br /><br />If Dragonfly has come into your life, look for changes or some type of transformation. You may ask yourself if you may be resisting some kind of change, when you know that you shouldn't be. Try to use your creative imagination, as a force to bring positive changes into your life. Don't be afraid to reach beyond what you have become familiar with. Try something new occasionally, reach beyond your boundaries.<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: medium;">THE LEGEND OF THE DRAGONFLY...</span>In the bottom of an old pond lived some grubs who could not understand why none of their groups ever came back after crawling up the stems of the lilies to the top of the water. They promised each other that the next one who was called to make the upward climb would return and tell what happened to him. Soon one of them felt an urgent impulse to seek the surface; he rested himself on the top of a lily pad and went through a glorious transformation, which made him a dragonfly with beautiful wings. In vain, he tried to keep his promise. Flying back and forth over the pond, he peered down at his friends below. Then he realized that even if they could see him they would not recognize such a radiant creature as one of their number.<br /><br />The fact that we cannot see our friends or communicate with them after the transformation, which we call death, is no proof that they cease to exist. <br /><br />- Walter Dudley Cavert<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;... Rainbows, Sunshine, and Gentle Breezes,<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Dancing-Night-Crow<br /><br />*Extra Note: There's just something extraordinarily special and Magickal about having either the Dragonfly or the Damselfly actually land on your hand....if that happens to you, don't be afraid...stay as motionless as you are able, and study, to see if there might be a message for you!<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><b><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">VICTORY! </span></span><br />Dear Friends,<br /><br />I’m writing with great news about one of our longest running BioGems campaigns. <br /><br />A federal judge in Alaska has ruled in our favor and protected 9.5 million acres of wild, roadless areas in Alaska’s Tongass National Forest from destructive logging and road building.<br /><br />We’ve been fighting this courtroom battle alongside Earthjustice since 2003, when the Bush Administration illegally exempted the Tongass from the landmark Roadless Rule, which safeguards the last undisturbed stretches of our national forests.<br /><br /><b>Your activism and support have proved critical in this epic fight.</b> <br /><br />A decade ago, activists like you generated hundreds of thousands of petitions that helped persuade the Clinton Administration to establish the Roadless Rule in the first place.<br /><br />Then, your financial support made it possible for us to wage an <b>eight-year legal battle</b> that has produced this historic win for America’s greatest temperate rainforest.<br /><br />Thanks to you, the towering old-growth stands of the wild Tongass -- along with its incomparable populations of grizzlies, wolves and bald eagles -- <b>will be spared from an onslaught of chain saws and bulldozers.</b> <br /><br />This hard-fought victory captures the never-say-die spirit of BioGems campaigns at their very best. It is proof positive that you are part of a powerful and effective voice for the wild. Thank you for helping save the Tongass! <br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Frances Beinecke<br />President <br />Natural Resources Defense Council</b><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><b>Abraham Symons, Notable Haddam Resident <br /><br />A Narragansett Indian with ties to Dartmouth College was a resident of Haddam in the late 18th century. <br />By Elizabeth Warner | Email the author | May 28, 2011 <br /><br />Symons was a member of the Narragansett Indian Tribe Narragansett Tribal Logo <br />Haddam has always been a small town. Yet, there are many notable people who were born or lived in this rural community.<br /><br />John Cook, for example, who lived at the intersection of Walkey Hill and Hayden Hill Roads, participated in John Brown’s raid at Harper’s Ferry in 1859. Cook was captured and hanged with the great abolitionist.<br /><br />Stephen Johnson Field was the son of David Dudley Field, a notable minister of the Haddam and Higganum Congregational Churches in the mid-nineteenth century. Stephen Field became a justice of the Supreme Court in 1863 and served until 1897. His brother Cyrus created the Atlantic cable, which connected the U.S. to Europe by telegraph.<br /><br />Another important resident of Haddam, and the subject of this week’s column, was Abraham Symons, a Narragansett Indian who settled down in Haddam in 1790 until his death in 1812.<br /><br />Abraham Symons and his brother Daniel were born in Rhode Island and attended the Moor’s Indian Charity School in Lebanon, Connecticut. From there, the two brothers traveled with Dr. Eleazar Wheelock to New Hampshire to help start Dartmouth College in 1768. This illustrious school in New Hampshire was originally founded as a school of higher learning for Native American students.<br /><br />Daniel Symons graduated from Darmouth in 1777.<br /><br />Abraham attended the school and helped Wheelock run Dartmouth. In 1772, Abraham was sent by Wheelock to preach the Christian gospel along the eastern seaboard. He was appointed the head of a mission in New Jersey, replacing John Brainerd of Haddam in that role. This seems to be the link that brought Symons to Haddam to Haddam in 1790.<br /><br />Abraham Symons and his wife Prudence, who is believed to have been from Long Island, settled down in the Ponsett section of Haddam in a house on Hubbard Road, not far from the intersection of Beaver Meadow Road. (The house was torn down to make way for the entrance ramp to Route 9.)<br /><br />While living in Haddam, they had four children: Esther, Nancy, Prudence, and Sylvanus. <br /><br />Interestingly, none of the Symons was ever listed in any of the U.S. federal censuses while in Connecticut. It is not clear if the family was overlooked or not listed because they were Indian.<br /><br />Symons died in 1812 in Haddam, and Prudence made at least part of living by making baskets and selling them locally until her death in 1836. Some historians have suggested that, after Abraham’s death, she and her children faced significant poverty and prejudice from local people.<br /><br />Abraham Symons and his children were buried in Ponsett Cemetery; Prudence was relegated to a pauper’s grave in the old Thirty Mile Island Plantation in Haddam Center.<br /><br />A fund was started by a local preacher in the late nineteenth century to provide a decent stone to honor Abraham Symons. But it wasn’t until 1925 that a maker for Abraham was made possible by a group of Dartmouth students at the Ponsett Cemetery, shown here. Later, Samuel Hubbard, who was a Dartmouth graduate and a descent of a Haddam family, contributed smaller stones for Prudence and for each of the children.<br /><br />Symons and his family were quiet members of the Haddam community, ones worth honoring and remembering. Take a walk through the Old Ponsett graveyard and visit the stone. Reflect for awhile about what it might have been like for this family in a place where they were seen as "others," yet who tried to make a life for themselves in this rural enclave.<br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /> <br />KITCHEN MEDICINE:<br /><br /><br />GARLIC <br />AKA: stinking rose, heal-all, poor man's treacle... <br />use cloves in cooking, crush and encapsulate or use pre made tablets, infusion, tincture <br />Garlic is the worlds second oldest medicine, and is the traditional "wonder drug". Many people don't realize that an onion has almost as much medicinal value as garlic does. Battle wounds in WWI were treated with garlic juice. Recommended for colds, coughs, flu, fever, bronchitis, ringworm, intestinal worms, elevated cholesterol, and general internal organ problems. No standard medication can match Garlic on the cardiovascular scale. Garlic DEFINITELY reduces blood pressure, cholesterol and reduces internal clots which can lead to heart attacks and strokes. Garlic reduces blood sugar and therefore helps diabetes sufferers. It may help eliminate lead and heavy metals in the blood steam , has helped leprosy patients, fights cancer, helps aids patients <br />***Warnings: Allergy sufferers may develop a rash from touching or eating the herb. If this is the case, discontinue use. If you have a clotting disorder consult a physician before using. <br /><br /><b>GINGER </b><br />AKA: Asian, African, American ginger... <br />cooking, capsules for motion sickness, tea, infusion, or ginger ale for digestive aid <br />This herb helps with motion and morning sickness. It is very good digestive aid, may ease menstrual cramps, help arthritis, is traditionally used in the orient for colds and flu and is excellent for reducing cholesterol, lowering blood pressure and preventing internal blood clots. <br />***Warnings: Large doses might cause miscarriage although their are no scientific reports backing this up. <br /><br /><b>GINKGO </b><br />AKA: maiden hair tree... <br />leaves brewed as tea, infusion <br />The earth's oldest tree, it's given that this herb helps the elderly the most. Ginkgo increases blood flow to the brain which can help prevent strokes and heart attacks, improve memory, help impotence and chronic dizziness. It is also known to help with macular degeneration (blindness), circulation, asthma, tinnitus and deafness. A fine example of the need to preserve the earth's natural resources. <br />***Warnings: Do not use if you have a clotting disorder, do not take in very large amounts as diarrhea, vomiting and irritability can occur. <br /><br /><b>GINSENG </b><br />AKA: root of immortality, man root, life root, seng seng... it is very important to use mature roots (over 6 years old) Use root powder capsules or tablets <br />This herb helps the bodies resistance, boosts the immune system, lowers cholesterol, lowers blood sugars, reduces heart attacks, protects the liver, helps the appetite and helps cancer patients with radiation therapy. ***Warnings: none<br /><br /><b>HOREHOUND </b><br />AKA: marrubium, hoarhound, white horehound... <br />flowers and leaves in infusion or tincture for cough remedy <br />A popular herbal cough remedy and expectorant for almost 2000 years, horehound is good for minor respiratory problems such as cough , colds and bronchitis <br />***Warnings: those with heart disease should not take this herb <br /><br /><b>HYSSOP </b><br />AKA: n/a ...<br />flowers and leaves as a compress for cold sores and genital herpes, infusion, tincture <br />Hyssop inhibits the growth of herpes simplex virus. Scientists agree it is a "reasonably effective" treatment for cough and irritation of colds and flu. <br />***Warnings: do not use if pregnant !!! always positively identify herbs you use. H. Officinalis is the correct herb <br /><br /><b>JUNIPER </b><br />AKA: geneva, genvrier... <br />infusion of berries <br />The source of gin, this herb also increases urine production ( a diuretic) - making it a treatment for PMS, high blood pressure and congestive heart failure. Recommended for arthritis. <br />***Warnings: Long term use can cause kidney damage. If you have a kidney infection or kidney problems you should not use this herb. One third of hay fever sufferers develop allergy symptoms from exposure to Juniper. <br /><br /><b>KELP </b><br />AKA: fucus, seawrack, cutweed, bladderwrack, wakame, hijiki, kombue, arame... <br />take tablets (herb is unpleasant), infusion <br />A natural source of iodine, now known as a radiation protector, protection form heavy metals, reducer of heart disease and an infection fighter. <br />***Warnings: none <br /><br /><b>LAVENDER </b><br />AKA: English lavender... <br />flowers in bath, general aromatherapy <br />The all time fragrant herb, lavender makes a great bath addition. The Greeks and Romans bathed in lavender scented water and it was from the Latin word, Lavo (to wash) that the herb took its name. While not technically a medicinal herb, the calming properties of its aroma are well founded. <br />***Warnings: none <br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />Hold On<br /><br />Hold on to what is good. Even if it's a handful of earth.<br />Hold on to what you believe. Even if it's a tree that stands by itself.<br />Hold on to what you must do. Even if it's a long way from here.<br />Hold on to your life. Even if it's easier to let go.<br />Hold on to my hand. Even if someday I'll be gone away from you.<br /> <br />A Pueblo Indian Prayer<br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />RECIPES:<br /><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />*** Blue Corn Dumplings <br /><br />1 c harinilla (blue corn meal ground to flour) <br />2 t baking powder <br />1 t bacon drippings, lard, or other shortening <br />1/3 to 1/2 c milk <br />1 t salt <br /><br />Mix (or sift) dry ingredients thoroughly, cut in fat and add enough milk to make drop batter. Drop by spoonfuls on top of the stew of your choice Cover cooking pot and steam dumplings 15 minutes before lifting cover. <br /><br />Stew should be kept bubbling. Serves 4-6.</span>*~~~~~~~~~~ *~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br /><br />***Indian Sun Bread Yield: 1 batch <br /><br />2 pk Dry yeast <br />1 T Sugar <br />2 T Melted fat <br />2 c Water <br />6 1/4 c Flour <br />1/2 ts Salt <br /><br />Combine yeast with 2 1/4 c. flour in bowl. Heat water, shortening, sugar and salt. Add to flour. Beat until mixed. Add remaining flour and knead until smooth and elastic. Place in a large greased bowl. Cover and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in bulk. Divide in half. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes. <br />*~~~~~~~~~~ *~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />***Pojoaque Cream Soup Serves: 4 <br /><br />4 c home cooked pinto beans <br />1 c bean juice (reserved from cooking) <br />1 clove minced garlic <br />1 tb minced onion <br />3/4 t salt <br />1 c undiluted evaporated milk <br />1 pinch of oregano <br />1 tb red chile powder (optional) <br /><br />Mash beans thoroughly and mix in bean juice or put both through blender until smooth, adding all other ingredients slowly while beating or blending. Simmer for ten minutes. For gourmet versions, serve cold with generous topping of sour cream. <br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />I hoped you enjoyed the newsletter. <br /><br />As always…if you have something you would like to add let me know. I am always looking for new talent. :&gt;) Poems, stories (short) announcments, etc. If you know someone that needs prayer or even for yourself and you would like it here, let me know.<br /><br />Stay healthy and safe…see you next month.<br />Shiakoda Autumn Wolf Moon</b></b></b></u> </u></u></u></b></u></b>Shiakoda Autumn Wolf Moon Q.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04821100742943607490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749857024160092168.post-57877265975660849202011-05-08T16:01:00.000-07:002011-05-08T16:01:40.481-07:00May WOLF SPIRIT newsletter<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;, &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>METIS/DISTRICT14</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal&